Committee seat sought by Ensign

WASHINGTON — Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., has relaunched a bid to fill a vacant seat on the influential Senate Finance Committee.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is expected to soon name a replacement for Sen. Craig Thomas, a Wyoming Republican who died on June 4.

“We are working that very hard,” Ensign said Wednesday. “It is the leader’s decision so we are trying to make a case that we have done enough to deserve it.

Ensign last fall agreed to become chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a major fundraising and recruiting position, after other GOP senators passed.

The Nevadan also is the chief liaison between Senate Republicans and the high tech industry, conveying proposals for telecommunications policies between the groups.

In December, Ensign campaigned for the Finance Committee but lost out when McConnell named Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas to the only open Republican slot. Roberts, who was elected to the Senate in 1996, claimed seniority.

This time, Ensign confirmed he faces competition from Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio, who also outranks him in seniority.

Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., also wants the seat, a spokeswoman said.