Schumer says he has the votes to remain Democratic leader
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said Thursday he will challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York to run the party in the majority next year, setting up a fight over the party’s direction after midterm wins put Democrats back in control of the chamber.
“It’s now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership,” Van Hollen said in a statement Thursday. “That is why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader.”
Democrats are coming off a strong election result in which they picked up at least eight and potentially nine seats, putting them in the majority in the new Congress.
Schumer, 75, responded by saying he welcomes “any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead.” The New York senator pointed to the midterm wins and said he has the votes locked up to continue serving as Democratic leader.
Senate Democrats will vote on who will lead them in the majority on Dec. 1 in a secret ballot. The winner will need a simple majority. Schumer has led the caucus since 2017.
Schumer has faced criticism from party progressives and from incoming Democratic senators calling for more aggressive leadership.
Van Hollen, 67, spent the past week calling colleagues and arguing that the leadership post should not be handed to Schumer by default, according to The Wall Street Journal. He has criticized the minority leader and the party’s campaign arm for favoring the primary rivals of two senators-elect.
The Maryland senator won his Senate seat in 2016 after spending 14 years in the House.
The leadership contest comes as Democrats face political fights ahead on funding the government, restoring healthcare subsidies and possible impeachments — fights that could strain the party’s unity as it moves into the majority.