Congressional Democrats have little sway over who the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee will be. But the eventual winner — to be elected by DNC members this weekend in Atlanta — may play an important role in shaping the direction of a party that desperately needs help articulating its message and organizing ahead of the 2018 midterms.

“Right about now, they do nothing with the Congress. So anything would be an improvement,” Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell, a former DNC member, said of the committee last week, outside the House chamber.

Many Democrats just want to move beyond what’s often felt like an extension of the 2016 presidential primary.

“Whoever gets elected has to first make sure that it isn’t another schism in this party,” Dingell said. “And after we get through with that, then they need to be smart about how to use all the talent that’s here on both sides of the Capitol.”

Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison has racked up the most congressional endorsements. But that won’t necessarily translate into victory on Feb. 25 since members of Congress don’t vote. The victor needs a majority of DNC members, and it’s expected to take multiple ballots for any of the remaining candidates to secure the necessary 224 of 447 votes.