WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said Thursday he will run for Senate majority leader in the next Congress, launching a challenge to Democratic leader Chuck Schumer after the party came to power in the midterm elections.
Van Hollen said in a statement that “the American people have called for change” and that’s why he’s running.
“It is now up to us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership,” Van Hollen said. “It’s not about one person, it’s about answering the call of the American people. That’s why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader.”
Schumer said he has the support needed to win the race, which will be the first contested election for the Senaet Democratic leader in decades. The election behind closed doors and by secret ballot will take place in early December.
The question of whether or not to re-elect Schumer has already split the caucus and many senators refused to say publicly how they would vote, even before Van Hollen entered the race. They deliberated privately on what message to take from the election and many are torn — Schumer recruited many of the party’s winning candidates and raised money for them, but progressive groups are pushing for his removal.
In preparing for re-election, Schumer worked one-on-one with Democratic senators to develop an agenda for 2027. In private caucus meetings this week, Schumer opened discussion of a broad plan for their first 100 days in office that included legislation on health care and tariffs and efforts to stop the war in Iran.
“I’m going to win it,” Schumer told The Associated Press in an interview last week.
In a statement after Van Hollen’s announcement, Schumer said he welcomed any discussion about the future of the caucus.
“I am proud of what we accomplished together – 55 seats and counting is an incredible result – and I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic leader,” Schumer said. “I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and meeting the expectations of the American people.”
Divisions around Schumer have simmered over the past two years
While Schumer is the favorite to win, Van Hollen’s candidacy reveals a divide within the party that open in spring 2025when Schumer was put on the defensive after siding with Republicans on a spending vote.
Although Schumer has since redeemed himself within his caucus, guiding them through a government shutdown last year and orchestrating huge election victories – many in the Democratic base are pushing for generational change.
Van Hollen, 67, is not much younger than Schumer, 75. But he has positioned himself as a new face of the party. He also said he was considering running for president.
While most Democratic senators have said they support Schumer or are undecided, Van Hollen has at least two supporters: Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, who won a competitive election in his state last week, and progressive standard-bearer Bernie Sanders.
El Sayed posted Thursday evening on X that their majority will need “bold leadership.”
“I called on Senator @ChrisVanHollen to lead our caucus as a candidate in April because he leads with courage and experience,” El-Sayed wrote. “We need both right now. That’s why I’m proud to stand with him in his bid to lead our Senate majority.”
Sen. Sanders, an independent who caucus with the Democrats, held a news conference Tuesday to announce he would not support Schumer. He said Thursday night that the American people “want a Democratic Party that will stand up to powerful special interests, take on the billionaire class and fight for working families. That’s why I support Sen. Chris Van Hollen to lead Senate Democrats.”
Van Hollen has yet to outline his own agenda, but he has criticized Schumer for his ties to Israel and other special interests.
Although Schumer has long supported Israel, he sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his management of the war in Gaza.
Schumer says he has broad support
Several senators have said they support Schumer, including Ohio’s new senator. Sherrod Brownwho defeated Republican Sen. Jon Husted last week. Beyond election victories, those who support him say being a leader is hard work, that experience is necessary and that Schumer had a proven track record with legislative successes when he served in the Senate under President Joe Biden.
“Why would you fire the manager when you just won the World Series?” » posted Maine Sen. Angus King, another independent who caucus with Democrats and vote in the leadership election.
“Chuck Schumer is one of the principal architects of the most successful election in modern history, and I see no reason to change the leadership that helped make that success possible,” King wrote.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Democrat of Nevada, also showed her support Thursday evening:
Cortez Masto said Schumer played a key role in “winning a historic majority. I will support him as Democratic leader.”
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