Sen. Todd Young was elected on Wednesday to be the next chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a much more difficult cycle for incumbent protection on the Republican side.

The Republican from Indiana was the only candidate for the post, which is being vacated by Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado. Gardner is himself in what is expected to be among the most hotly contested races of the 2020 cycle.

Young and the GOP look to be on defense in at least 21 Senate seats while Democrats will be defending just a dozen, virtually the reverse scenario from 2018.

The Democrats do not elect the leader of their party campaign committee. Instead, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer gets to make an appointment to the post.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto appears to be the most desired candidate for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The Democrat from Nevada was elected in 2016, and the state Democratic party in the Silver State has been among the most successful in recent election cycles. 

The NRSC election came during the Senate GOP meeting in the Old Senate Chamber held Wednesday morning, in which they also elected the rest of their leaders for the 116th Congress, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Democrats also held leadership elections on Wednesday.