Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen announced on Thursday that he is challenging Chuck Schumer for the role of Senate majority leader when Democrats regain the chamber’s majority in January.
The upcoming contest pits progressive Van Hollen against centrist Schumer in the first contested election for Democratic leader in decades.
"In this election, the American people called for change. They called for a change from Donald Trump’s disastrous policies – but even bigger than that, a change from the status quo that isn’t working for working people," Van Hollen said in a statement posted on social media.
"It’s now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership. This is not about any one person – it’s about answering the call of the American people. That is why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader," Van Hollen added.
Schumer responded less than a minute later in a social media post of his own. "I welcome any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead," Schumer wrote.
"I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together – 55 seats and counting is an amazing result – and I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader. I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and delivering for the American people," Schumer stated.
Van Hollen’s challenge follows his earlier statements that he was considering a bid. It also comes after Schumer said he had the necessary support to win, telling the Associated Press in an interview last week, "I’m going to win it."
The closed-door, secret-ballot election will be held in early December.
The question of whether to re-elect Schumer has divided the caucus, and many senators will not say publicly how they will vote. Senators have privately deliberated about what message to take from the election.
Schumer recruited many of the party’s winning candidates and raised money for them. However, some of the winning candidates, such as Michigan’s senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, did not initially have Schumer’s support.
Schumer has been talking to Democratic senators since the election about forming an agenda for 2027.
