It’s only been a week or so since Democrats won big in the midterms, and already there’s trouble in paradise.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen announced Thursday that he will challenge longtime Democratic leader Chuck Schumer for the party’s top Senate post, reversing his earlier position that he was not interested in the job.
The Maryland Democrat said he will seek to become Senate majority leader when Democrats take control of the chamber in January following their midterm gains.
“In this election, Americans called on us to unrig an economy rigged against working people & fueled by political corruption,” Van Hollen wrote.
“To deliver, we need new leadership. This isn’t about any one person – it’s about answering that call.”
Van Hollen’s announcement sets up the first contested election for Senate Democratic leader in decades and comes after mounting pressure from progressives and several newly elected Democrats seeking a change at the top.
Van Hollen previously said he was not interested in challenging Schumer and had instead acknowledged considering a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
He changed course after receiving what he described as an outpouring of requests to reconsider.
“The voters called for big change, and this is a time that we have to deliver for people across the country,” Van Hollen told The Washington Post.
Van Hollen also characterized the midterm results as a rejection of “business as usual” during an interview announcing his candidacy.
Schumer, 75, has led Senate Democrats since succeeding former Nevada Sen. Harry Reid in 2017 and has never previously faced an opponent for the leadership position.
The New York Democrat has expressed confidence that he will survive the challenge.
“I believe I’ll be elected majority leader,” Schumer said before Van Hollen formally entered the race.
“Our caucus is united and strong and really happy with where we are right now.”
Schumer has pointed to Democrats’ strong midterm performance as evidence supporting his continued leadership.
Van Hollen, however, already has support from several prominent figures on the party’s left flank.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, said earlier this week that he would not support Schumer for another term.
“I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. Nobody works harder than Chuck Schumer,” Sanders said.
“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 subsequently backed Van Hollen after the Maryland senator entered the contest.
Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed is also supporting Van Hollen.
“I called on Sen. Chris Van Hollen to lead our caucus as a candidate back in April because he leads with courage and experience,” El-Sayed said.
“We need both right now. Which is why I’m proud to stand with him in his bid to lead our Senate majority.”
Other Democrats have called for leadership changes without necessarily committing publicly to Van Hollen.
Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin has said Democrats need a “new generation of leadership,” while several incoming senators have either criticized Schumer or declined to endorse him.
Schumer still retains substantial support inside the caucus.
Incoming Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has backed him, as have Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
“Why would you fire the manager when you just won the World Series?” King said following Van Hollen’s announcement.
“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.”
Van Hollen, 67, served 14 years in the House before winning election to the Senate in 2016.
Once closely associated with the Democratic establishment, he has increasingly aligned himself with progressive causes and has become more critical of the party’s existing leadership structure.
Schumer has faced growing dissatisfaction from progressive activists during Trump’s second term, particularly following his handling of government funding battles and disagreements over Israel.
The leadership election is expected to take place by secret ballot in early December, meaning public endorsements may not provide a reliable indication of the final outcome.
