Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has formally launched a bid to challenge incumbent Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for Senate majority leader in the upcoming Congress.
“In this election, Americans called on us to unrig an economy rigged against working people [and] fueled by political corruption,” Van Hollen wrote in a statement on X.
“To deliver, we need new leadership. This isn’t about any one person—it’s about answering that call. That’s why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader.”
Van Hollen had previously been open that he was considering a bid.
Schumer, meanwhile, has expressed confidence that he’ll have the required votes when the conference meets for a closed-door, secret ballot vote later in December.
Several incoming Democratic senators—including Sens.-elect Annie Andrews (D-S.C.), Abdul El-Sayed (D-Mich.), and Adam Hamilton (D-Kansas)—have said they won’t support Schumer.
El-Sayed has endorsed Van Hollen directly, endorsing the candidate even before he won his own primary race against Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.).
“The American public spoke clearly last week. They rejected Trumpism. But we have yet to earn our mandate. That will require bold leadership,” El-Sayed wrote in a post on X. “I called on Sen. @ChrisVanHollen to lead our caucus as a candidate back in April because he leads with courage and experience. We need both right now. Which is why I’m proud to stand with him in his bid to lead our Senate majority.”
Andrews hasn’t endorsed Van Hollen, but she told Fox News in an interview that it was “time for a generational change on both sides of the aisle.”
Sen.-elect James Talarico (D-Texas) said he’s still making up his mind on who to vote for.
“I’m going to meet with every candidate for any leadership position. … I’m going to ask tough questions,” Talarico said in an interview with CBS News.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also said he wouldn’t back Schumer.
“If this campaign was about anything, it was about change and the need for the Democratic Party to move in a new and bold direction. I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck, nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer, but in my view the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader,” Sanders said at a press conference on Capitol Hill.
Schumer indicated he felt certain he would be reelected.
“The issue is not me. I’ll be reelected as majority leader. But the issue is focusing on the American people and what they want,” Schumer said at a press conference.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) has been a prominent backer of Schumer, whom he credits with Senate Democrats’ sweeping victory in the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats have won at least 55 seats so far, with a race in Alaska too close to call.
“When the manager takes you to the World Series, you give him another contract,” Gallego said.
Van Hollen’s bid comes as Democrats in both chambers have reported receiving as many as hundreds of calls a day urging them to oppose Democrats’ heir apparent for leadership in both chambers.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who has led Democrats since they entered the minority in January 2023, has also faced opposition in his bid for the House speakership.
We had a problem loading this article. Please enable javascript or use a different browser. If the issue persists, please visit our help center.