Schumer Expects to Retain Senate Democratic Leadership

Chuck Schumer said he expects to be reelected as Senate Democratic leader, even as several incoming Democratic senators have called for new leadership or said they would support someone else. The caucus has not yet held its leadership vote, which is expected before the new Congress convenes in January. Schumer made his prediction to reporters on Wednesday, November 4, after Democrats won control of the Senate in the midterm elections. He said the leadership question was not about him and argued that the party should focus on what voters want. His statement expressed confidence, but the result will depend on a vote among Senate Democrats. To retain the post, Schumer needs a simple majority of the caucus. Several incoming senators have publicly withheld support, though the reports differ on how many have opposed him. One account identified five senators who said they would not support Schumer and another who had not committed. Another counted at least seven incoming Democrats who had publicly suggested or said they would not back him. Those figures reflect different reported classifications; neither establishes how the senators will vote in the closed caucus ballot. Among those...