A battle for the leadership of Senate Democrats is taking shape as Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen challenges longtime Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, just weeks after Democrats regained control of the chamber in the midterm elections.
Van Hollen is making a direct pitch for a leadership change, arguing that Democrats cannot enter the new Congress with the same leadership voters have seen for years. His challenge puts Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since 2017, in an uncomfortable position amid questions about whether he can retain his powerful post.
The Maryland Democrat announced his bid on Thursday, describing the moment as a “generational opportunity” for the party to respond to voters’ demands for change. In a social media post, Van Hollen said Democrats need “new leadership” following their midterm victory.
“This isn’t about any one person — it’s about answering that call,” Van Hollen said in the post.
Speaking on MSNOW, the two-term senator made clear that he believes it is time for Schumer to step aside.
“This is a generational opportunity for the Senate to respond to the call of the American people for change … They’ve given us a chance. We have to earn their trust, and my view is that you can’t earn that trust with old leadership. You need to move on to new leadership.”
Schumer, however, is not backing down.
Responding to the challenge, the New York senator expressed confidence that he has enough support within the Democratic caucus to retain his position. While welcoming discussions about the party’s future, he maintained that his leadership is secure.
“I welcome any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together–55 seats and counting is an amazing result–and I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader. I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and delivering for the American people,” he posted on X.
The publicly declared endorsements, however, suggest that the leadership contest remains unsettled.
Van Hollen has emerged as the leading alternative, with several Democrats signaling that they want a different direction for the party. The contest is becoming an early test of whether the incoming Democratic majority is prepared to move away from its established leadership.
According to an analysis published by The New Republic, 16 lawmakers have publicly backed Schumer, while four have explicitly supported Van Hollen. Several other senators and senators-elect have expressed interest in a leadership change without formally endorsing the Maryland Democrat.
Who is standing with Chuck Schumer?
According to the published tally, the following senators and senators-elect have expressed support for Schumer:
- New York Sen. Chuck Schumer
- Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine
- Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks
- Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
- Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego
- Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly
- Ohio Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown
- New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
- Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman
- Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal
- Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz
- Maine Sen. Angus King
- Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto
- Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen
- Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin
- Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed
Who is backing Chris Van Hollen?
The following senators and senators-elect have publicly supported Van Hollen:
- Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen
- Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders
- Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed
- Minnesota Sen.-elect Peggy Flanagan
Who wants change but has not backed Van Hollen?
Several other Democrats have expressed interest in a leadership change without formally endorsing Van Hollen:
- Illinois Sen. Juliana Stratton
- Kansas Sen. Adam Hamilton
- Maine Sen.-elect Troy Jackson
- New Hampshire Sen.-elect Chris Pappas
- Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico
The number of lawmakers who have yet to publicly commit could complicate Schumer’s efforts to retain the leadership.
According to an analysis published Friday by Primary Democrats, another 16 senators and senators-elect have not committed to supporting Schumer, while 15 have yet to take a public position on the leadership contest.
Altogether, 25 Democrats have either distanced themselves from Schumer or expressed interest in new leadership, according to The New Republic. That represents nearly half of the at least 55 Democratic seats expected to make up the Senate majority when the new Congress convenes in January.
Van Hollen has acknowledged that he is the underdog, but his challenge could force Democratic lawmakers to publicly choose between retaining Schumer and installing a new leader.
The leadership election is expected to take place in December, with the winner determined by a majority vote of the Democratic caucus.
Until then, Schumer faces a test of support within his own party, while Van Hollen seeks to translate calls for change into a serious challenge for the Senate’s top Democratic leadership post.