Chris Van Hollen challenges Chuck Schumer for Senate Democratic leadership

A challenge that splits the caucus

Chris Van Hollen, the Democratic senator from Maryland, said on Thursday, 12 November, that he will challenge Chuck Schumer for the post of Senate Democratic leader. The role becomes one of the most influential in Washington when the party takes control of the upper chamber next year, and the contest is the first serious test of unity after the November 2026 midterm elections. Van Hollen, 67, argues that voters asked for change and that the party needs new leadership to deliver it. Schumer, 75, has led Senate Democrats since 2017 and says he has the support required to keep the job.

Progressive groups have welcomed Van Hollen's bid, arguing that Schumer has not pushed hard enough against President Donald Trump and his agenda. Critics on the left also see Schumer as too moderate and too closely tied to the party establishment. Van Hollen has called himself an underdog, while telling MS NOW the race is still very much in flux. Schumer responded on X that he welcomes discussion about the future of the caucus and insisted he has the votes to keep leading.

“I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader.”

Where the votes stand

One tally of public support gives Schumer 14 senators, including himself, while Van Hollen has five. Van Hollen told MS NOW he has more than 10 senators on his side, yet only four have endorsed him publicly. Those four are Bernie Sanders, Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, Senator Jeff Merkley and incoming Senator Peggy Flanagan. Sanders announced his backing on Thursday night, while El-Sayed joined when the bid was launched. Flanagan endorsed Van Hollen on Friday morning after earlier calling for new leadership, and Merkley followed on Friday afternoon. Winning requires 28 or 29 votes, depending on the result of Alaska's Senate race, which was still being counted.

Schumer (including himself)14

Van Hollen5

Schumer (including himself)

14 senators

Van Hollen

5 senators

Data from the article text

Independent Senator Angus King of Maine publicly defended Schumer in a statement of support, arguing against changing the leader after a strong election result.

“Why would you fire the manager when you just won the World Series?”

Senators still undecided

Senator Elissa Slotkin has called for change but has not backed either candidate. Before Van Hollen entered the race, Senator Peter Welch told NBC 5 that Democrats were committed to change, without ruling out supporting Schumer. Several senators-elect have also pressed for new leadership, including Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Juliana Stratton of Illinois, Troy Jackson of Maine, Annie Andrews of South Carolina and Chris Pappas of New Hampshire. Their stance leaves the final count uncertain, since the outcome will depend on how these newcomers vote when the caucus meets.

Van Hollen's record and 2028 decision

On Friday at the What's Next conference in Denver, Van Hollen ruled out a run for president in 2028, a possibility that had been reported earlier. He tied his leadership bid to the scale of the Democratic majorities.

“I believe that the size and scale of these majorities provides an opportunity for the United States Senate to answer the call of the American people.”

Van Hollen was born in Karachi in 1959 to a father who served as a US Foreign Service officer and a mother who worked for the Central Intelligence Agency and the State Department. In April 2025 he travelled to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported by the Trump administration, who was later returned to the United States. In August 2025 he accompanied Senator Jeff Merkley to the Rafah crossing on Egypt's border with Gaza.

Policy positions and the ideological split

Van Hollen is seen as more progressive than Schumer, having opposed the Trump administration's immigration practices and US support for Israel's war in Gaza. He has long opposed the Citizens United ruling, which opened the door to corporate spending on political campaigns. In 2024 he backed curbs on US weapons shipments to Israel and faulted Joe Biden's government for its part in the Gaza war. Schumer's allies argue that his experience and broad support make him the stronger choice for the next Congress.

What happens next

The caucus will decide the leader in a closed-door meeting set for 1 December. The winner takes the role on 4 January, the day Democrats assume control of both the Senate and the House.