The 1994 Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election was held on December 2, 1994, to elect the leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Incumbent George J. Mitchell retired from the Senate. Frontrunner for the position Senator Jim Sasser of Tennessee unexpectedly lost re-election, leading to a battle between senator from South Dakota Tom Daschle and senator from Connecticut Chris Dodd. Daschle won by a single vote.
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who little more than three months later would switch to the Republican Party, cast the deciding vote.
As of 2026, this is the last time a Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election was contested.
Candidates
The following candidates declared their intent to run.
CandidateStateOther Senate rolesTom DaschleSouth DakotaNoneChris DoddConnecticutNone
Withdrawn
CandidateStateOther Senate rolesJim SasserTennesseeChair of the Senate Budget Committee
Endorsements
Results
CandidateVotesPercentTom Daschle24Chris Dodd23Total:47100%Source:
References