Van Hollen challenges Schumer for Senate Democratic leader

Chris Van Hollen announced Thursday, November 12, that he will challenge Chuck Schumer for the position of Senate Democratic leader in the next Congress, saying voters called for change and the party needs new leadership. The race will be decided by Democratic senators and senators-elect in a secret-ballot vote expected in early December. The result has not been determined.

Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since 2017, said he welcomes discussion about the caucus’s future and has the votes to continue as leader. He also pointed to the party’s election results, saying it had 55 seats and counting. Van Hollen’s announcement sets up a contest for the leadership post, but the number of senators who will support him is not established by the vote tally.

Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, said his challenge was not about one person but about responding to voters’ call for change. In comments accompanying his announcement, he said Democrats should act on economic concerns and what he described as political corruption. Those are Van Hollen’s characterizations of the election and the party’s priorities; the reports do not establish that voters broadly endorsed his interpretation.