Van Hollen to challenge Schumer for Senate Democratic leader
[November 13, 2026]
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said
Thursday that he will run for Senate Majority Leader in the next
Congress, setting up a challenge to Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
after the party swept to power in the midterm elections.
Van Hollen said in a statement that “the American people called for
change” and that is why he is running.
“It’s now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new
leadership,” Van Hollen said. “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.”
Schumer has said he has the necessary support to win the race, which
will be the first contested election for Senaet Democratic leader in
decades. The closed-door, secret-ballot election will be held in early
December.
The question of whether to reelect Schumer has already divided the
caucus and many senators have declined to say publicly how they will
vote, even before Van Hollen entered the race. They have privately
deliberated about what message to take from the election and many are
torn — Schumer recruited many of the party’s winning candidates and
raised money for them, but progressive groups are pushing for his
removal.
Making the pitch for his reelection, Schumer has been working with
Democratic senators one-on-one to form an agenda for 2027. In private
caucus meetings this week, Schumer opened discussion on a broad plan for
their first 100 days in power that included health care and tariff
legislation and efforts to stop the Iran war.
“I’m going to win it,” Schumer told The Associated Press in an interview
last week.
In a statement after Van Hollen’s announcement, Schumer said he welcomes
any discussion about the future of the caucus.
“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,” Schumer said. “I look forward to leading our new
Democratic majority and delivering for the American people.”
Divisions over Schumer have simmered over the last two years
While Schumer is the favorite to win, Van Hollen’s run exposes a rift in
the party that opened in the spring of 2025, when Schumer was put on the
defensive after he sided with Republicans on a spending vote.
Even as Schumer has redeemed himself within his caucus since then —
leading them through a government shutdown last year and orchestrating
huge wins in the election — many in the Democratic base are agitating
for generational change.
Van Hollen, 67, is not that much younger than Schumer, 75. But he has
positioned himself as a new face in the party. He has also said he is
considering a run for president.
While most Democratic senators have either said they are supporting
Schumer or are undecided, Van Hollen has at least two backers:
Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, who won a competitive election in
his state last week, and progressive standard bearer Bernie Sanders.
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Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., speaks during a panel at Crooked Con
at the Walter E Washington Convention Center, in Washington,
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
El Sayed posted on X Thursday night that their majority will need
“bold leadership.”
“I called on Sen. @ChrisVanHollen to lead our caucus as a candidate
back in April because he leads with courage and experience,” El-Sayed
wrote. “We need both right now. Which is why I’m proud to stand with
him in his bid to lead our Senate majority.”
Sen. Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, held a
press conference Tuesday announcing he would not support Schumer. He
posted Thursday night that the American people “want a Democratic
Party that will stand up to powerful special interests, take on the
billionaire class and fight for working families. That is why I am
supporting Senator Chris Van Hollen to lead Senate Democrats.”
Van Hollen has not yet laid out his own agenda, but he has
criticized Schumer for his ties to Israel and other special
interests.
While Schumer has a long history of support for Israel, he has
strongly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his
handling of the war in Gaza.
Schumer says he has broad support
Several senators have said they are backing Schumer, including
incoming Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who beat Republican Sen. Jon
Husted last week. Beyond the election wins, those who support him
say being the leader is a difficult job, experience is necessary and
Schumer has proven himself with legislative successes when they held
the Senate under President Joe Biden.
“Why would you fire the manager when you just won the World Series?”
posted Maine Sen. Angus King, another independent who caucuses with
Democrats and votes in the leadership election.
“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,” King wrote.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., also posted her support
Thursday evening:
Cortez Masto said Schumer was key in “securing a historic majority.
I will be supporting him as our Democratic leader.”
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