: Following a heart attack during the summit, Leo steps down as Chief of Staff. In a surprising move, Bartlet appoints Press Secretary C.J. Cregg as his successor, forcing her to navigate a steep learning curve and the President's worsening multiple sclerosis.
: Frustrated with the lack of viable Democratic candidates, Josh Lyman leaves the White House to run the dark-horse presidential campaign of Texas Congressman Matt Santos . The West Wing - Season 6
: A principled, popular Republican Senator who becomes the GOP nominee. : Following a heart attack during the summit,
: The Republican side sees the rise of Senator Arnold Vinick , a moderate Californian who presents a formidable challenge to the Democrats. : Frustrated with the lack of viable Democratic
Season 6 of The West Wing (2004–2005) serves as a major turning point for the series, shifting from a pure White House drama into a dual-narrative campaign thriller. It explores the final year of the Bartlet administration as the president's inner circle begins to splinter and the race to succeed him takes center stage.