Tom Daschle -- Daschle , 48 , was largely unknown outside Washington and his state of South Dakota when he surprisingly beat more prominent rivals to become Senate Democratic leader after the party lost its majority to the Republicans in 1994 .
<response> <person>Tom Daschle</person> -- <person>Daschle</person> , 48 , was largely unknown outside <location>Washington</location> and his state of <location>South Dakota</location> when he surprisingly beat more prominent rivals to become <organization>Senate</organization> <misc>Democratic</misc> leader after the party lost its majority to the <misc>Republicans</misc> in 1994 . </response>