Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) is on the rise as a Democratic Party voice calling for a new direction as the party seeks to regroup following a stinging election loss.

Murphy has been among the most prominent figures arguing for a new strategy to expand the party's tent and for leaders to embrace economic populism to reconnect with voters whom the party has lost.

If followed, Murphy’s advice could result in a different outlook for the Democrats and elevate him as the party seeks the next generation of leaders.

“He brings some things to the table that are a little bit unique... this is a guy who’s never lost an election, and he won several times when he was not the favorite in places that Democrats typically have not done well,” said Connecticut-based Democratic strategist Roy Occhiogrosso. “That’s something that he brings to the table that I think people will start paying more attention to.”

Murphy has held political office for more than two decades, despite just turning 50 last year. He was first elected to the state Assembly at 25 years old and later elected to the state Senate before winning election to represent Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House in 2006.

After three terms in the House, he was elected to the Senate in 2012 to succeed retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman (I). Murphy was just easily reelected to a third term last month.

During his tenure, Murphy has scored several legislative victories and has particularly become a leading voice on gun legislation in the aftermath of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Conn. He served as the lead........

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