Van Hollen Challenges Schumer for Senate Democratic Leadership

Sen. Chris Van Hollen is seeking to replace Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader, setting up a contest over who will lead the party’s incoming Senate majority. Van Hollen announced his challenge on Thursday and said he had support from at least 10 senators. He described himself as an underdog and argued Democrats need new leadership to respond to voters and deliver for the public.

Several incoming senators have backed Van Hollen, including Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed and Minnesota’s Peggy Flanagan. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who aligns with Democrats, also endorsed him after calling for a change in party leadership. Sen. Elissa Slotkin and other Democrats have advocated new leadership without endorsing either candidate.

Schumer says he has enough backing to hold on to the leadership post for a sixth two-year term. He pointed to Democrats’ gains in the midterm elections, which put the party on track for at least 55 Senate seats, and said he was ready to lead the new majority. Senators Angus King, Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto were among those who backed him, citing his role in the party’s gains.

The leadership contest is expected to take place in early December in a closed-door, secret-ballot vote. Newly elected senators will participate, while outgoing members will not. Depending on the result in Alaska, either 55 or 56 Democrats will vote, and a candidate will need 28 or 29 votes to win.

Van Hollen Offers Democrats a Chance to Demand New Leadership

Democrats should not treat a newly won Senate majority as proof that their leadership is working. Chris Van Hollen is challenging Chuck Schumer for the top job, arguing the party needs new leadership focused on working families and delivering for the public.

Van Hollen says he has support from at least 10 senators. Incoming lawmakers Abdul El-Sayed and Peggy Flanagan have endorsed him, as has Bernie Sanders, who has called for Democrats to change course. Elissa Slotkin and other Democrats have also urged new leadership, even without taking sides in the contest.

Schumer is defending his record by pointing to Democrats’ midterm gains and says his support is sufficient to keep his position. He has support from senators including Angus King, Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto. But electoral success alone does not settle the question Van Hollen is raising: whether the party’s leadership can meet voters’ demands for change.

Democrats are expected to decide the race in a secret-ballot leadership election in early December. Newly elected senators will vote. Depending on the result in Alaska, the winner will need either 28 or 29 votes.

Schumer’s Election Record Faces a Leadership Challenge

Chuck Schumer’s leadership helped Democrats win a commanding Senate majority, yet Chris Van Hollen is mounting a challenge before Schumer can lead the new conference. Schumer says he has the votes to continue, and senators backing him argue there is no reason to discard leadership credited with delivering major gains.

Democrats picked up eight seats in the midterms and are on course to hold at least 55 Senate seats. Angus King, Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto have backed Schumer, emphasizing his role in the result. The Alaska outcome could raise the party’s total to 56.

Van Hollen, who says he has support from at least 10 senators, is presenting the contest as a call for new leadership. Incoming senators Abdul El-Sayed and Peggy Flanagan have endorsed him, as has Bernie Sanders. Other Democrats have asked for a leadership change without choosing a candidate. The challenge gives the caucus a choice between Schumer’s proven election operation and Van Hollen’s case for a shake-up.

A secret-ballot vote is expected in early December. Newly elected senators will take part, and the winner will need 28 or 29 votes, depending on Alaska.