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David Sherfinski

David Sherfinski covered politics for The Washington Times. 

Articles by David Sherfinski

Rep. Raul Labrador, Idaho Republican, a long shot to become the next house majority leader, said Republicans that run the chamber gives staff in leadership offices more influence than it gives to regular lawmakers. He contrasted it with his time serving in the Idaho state legislature, where he said every lawmaker had influence, something he'd like to see in the House. (Associated Press)

Long-shot Raul Labrador shakes up majority leader race

Win or lose, Rep. Raul Labrador's long-shot bid to become House majority leader has exposed a desire among rank-and-file Republican lawmakers for more input — and more fealty to conservative positions — as GOP leaders set their priorities on Capitol Hill. Published June 18, 2014

FILE - This June 11, 2014, file photo shows Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., walking through a staircase at the Capitol in Washington. The contest for the No. 3 spot in the House GOP has turned into tea party conservatives’ last, best shot at congressional leadership after getting shut out of the top two jobs in the shakeup following Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s surprise primary defeat. All three _ Scalise of Louisiana, Peter Roskam of Illinois, and Marlin Stutzman _ are to make their case to GOP rank-and-file lawmakers Wednesday ahead of votes on Thursday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Two emerge as frontrunners in GOP leadership race

The race for the House GOP's whip leadership post is turning into a two-man affair, lawmakers said Wednesday after emerging from a closed-door meeting where they heard pitched from the candidates. Published June 18, 2014

In 2016, Texas Democrats couldn't find a serious challenger to take on Republican Rep. Pete Sessions in the Dallas suburbs. This year, Democrats are fielding a much more robust set of candidates, with nine already looking to take on Mr. Sessions. (Associated Press)

House Whip contest heats up amid acrimony, calls for unity

Ahead of a potentially fractious three-way contest for House Majority Whip, Republicans on Tuesday stressed the need for a unifying conservative voice in a conference that's often been split between leadership and the rank and file. Published June 17, 2014

Rep. Raul Labrador suffered a setback over the weekend in his challenge against Rep. Kevin McCarthy to become the House Majority Leader when he presided over a chaotic state party convention in which Idaho Republicans failed to elect a chairman or adopt a platform. (associated press photographs)

Conservatives seek geographic diversity in next House whip

With Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy poised to ascend the House leadership ladder, conservatives are turning their attention to the race to succeed him as their best chance to have one of their own win a high leader's post. Published June 16, 2014

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, California Republican, appears to have the inside track to replace Rep. Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican, as the House Majority Leader now that Rep. Pete Sessions, Texas Republican, has dropped out of the running. (Associated Press)

Kevin McCarthy takes lead in replacing Eric Cantor

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy appears in position to be the next majority leader, as Rep. Pete Sessions dropped out of the running late Thursday after Mr. McCarthy locked up strong support from top Republicans. Published June 12, 2014

**FILE** House Financial Service Committee Chairman Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Texas Republican, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 27, 2013. (Associated Press)

Rep. Hensarling will not run for House Majority Leader

Rep. Jeb Hensarling, a favorite among some conservatives in the House, will not seek the job of majority leader in the wake of Eric Cantor's announcing he will step down from the post next month. Published June 12, 2014

Dave Brat speaks to supporters Tuesday after defeating Republican Congressman Eric Cantor in Tuesday's Republican primary for the 7th Congressional District in Virginia. Mr. Brat, who called his win "a miracle" was not ready to discuss policy with the press Wednesday. (Associated Press)

Unheralded David Brat adjusts to life in the limelight

Even after the little-known, underfunded David Brat took down House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Tuesday night's Republican primary, the 49-year-old college economics professor still couldn't quite comprehend it. Published June 11, 2014

** FILE ** Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli gestures as he addresses the Virginia GOP Convention in Roanoke, Va., Saturday, June 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Ken Cuccinelli joins Senate Conservatives Fund as new president

Former Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II is the new president of the Senate Conservatives Fund, a group organized by former U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina that has worked to support conservative political candidates across the country — oftentimes against Republican incumbents. Published June 11, 2014

State Sen. Phillip Puckett denies that he is stepping down in order to receive a position on the Tobacco Indemnification and Revitalization Commission, but his move hands control of the chamber to Republicans. (Associated Press)

GOP seizes on senator’s resignation in Virginia

Republicans on Monday acted quickly on their newly secured majority in the Virginia Senate, announcing plans to call lawmakers into session to resolve a protracted dispute over Medicaid expansion and the state's budget after the sudden resignation of a crucial Democrat. Published June 9, 2014

**FILE** Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., speaks at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 25, 2014. (Associated Press)

Senators on Homeland Security Committee tour U.S.-Canada border

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs joined Sen. Heidi Heitkamp on a helicopter tour of the border between North Dakota and Canada Friday and met law enforcement agents to discuss security issues surrounding the oft-overlooked northern U.S. border. Published June 6, 2014

National Security Adviser Susan Rice (Associated Press/File)

Rice: Bergdahl ‘innocent until proven guilty’

National Security Adviser Susan Rice on Friday clarified comments she made Sunday that Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl served the United States "with honor and distinction," saying that his decision to enlist in the Army was honorable. Published June 6, 2014

First lady Michelle Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, June 4, 2014, during a Joining Forces initiative event to announce "The Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness" program. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Michelle Obama for Senate?

Buzz is mounting that First Lady Michelle Obama could run for the U.S. Senate. It's certainly not unprecedented — look at former secretary of state and senator from New York Hillary Rodham Clinton. Published June 6, 2014

** FILE ** This May 14, 2014, file photo shows former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaking in Washington. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Clinton: ‘We demanded the release’ of Bowe Bergdahl

Hillary Clinton writes in her new book that opening the door to negotiations with the Taliban would be "hard to swallow" for Americans but the United States was firm in demanding the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl during such discussions about prisoner swaps. Published June 6, 2014