After seeing Republicans expand their House majority in the midterm elections, Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., revealed that he plans to step down as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Israel told Newsday that he turned down a request from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to remain as the head of House Democrats' campaign arm but is in talks with her about staying in the Democratic leadership.
"I've been really clear with leader Pelosi that I would like to continue to have a seat at the leadership table, because it makes me more effective," Israel said.
He added, "I'll stay in Congress for as long as I believe I'm effective, but I'm not going to occupy a seat in Congress for the sake of having a seat in Congress."
With some results still outstanding, Democrats lost at least thirteen seats in Tuesday's elections after picking up eight seats under Israel's watch in 2012.
Israel called Tuesday an "ugly night for Democrats at all levels" but argued that it "could have been a lot worse."
"Without the hard work of the members of the caucus and the DCCC, Republicans might have reached the 29 seat gain typically won in a second-term midterm," he said.
Israel predicted that the political climate would be better for Democrats in 2016, noting that there will be a higher Democratic voter turnout for a presidential election, fewer Democratic incumbents to defend and more vulnerable Republicans to challenge.
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