Schatz picks up support for whip even as some Dems beg off

Politico.com - For more and to sign up click here Sen. Brian Schatz inched forward Tuesday in his bid to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin as the No. 2 Senate Democrat — even as some Democratic senators said it’s too early to even talk about a leadership contest more than a year away. Schatz’s latest round of supporters includes Sens. Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), John Fetterman (Pa.), Ben Ray Lujan (N.M.) and Raphael…