Chris Van Hollen Says He Will Challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate Majority Leader

Senator Chris Van Hollen announced on Thursday that he will challenge Chuck Schumer for the job of Senate majority leader, pushing his party into a fresh debate over its future just days after sweeping victories in the midterm elections.

During Thursday’s announcement, Van Hollen said that the midterm results showed voters clearly demanding a departure from business as usual. Van Hollen stated it is now up to the caucus to meet this moment with 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 said in a statement.

Leadership Challenge in the Senate

At 67 years old, Van Hollen entered the Senate in 2016 following more than ten years serving a Washington, D.C., suburban district in Maryland as a member of the House. Known as one of the more progressive voices in his party, he drew national attention last year by advocating for the liberation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia following his improper deportation to an El Salvador penitentiary.

I welcome any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead. 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…

— Post by @SenSchumer on X

His announcement arrives at a moment when progressive activists and several Democratic lawmakers are calling for Schumer, 75, to be replaced as party leader. Having held his position since 2017, Schumer faced backlash from numerous members of the Democratic base after failing to adopt a more aggressive stance opposing President Trump during the early 2025 budgetary disputes.

“I welcome any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead. 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 wrote on social media following Van Hollen’s announcement.

“I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and delivering for the American people,” Schumer added.

Growing Resistance in the Caucus

While Schumer has maintained he has the votes to become majority leader, internal pushback within the Democratic caucus continues to mount. Earlier this week, Senator Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Independent who aligns with Democrats, said he would oppose Schumer.

Senate majority leader john thune r sd speaking at a press conference at the us capitol in washington dc by michael brochstei

Standing alongside Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin, Sanders made the disclosure while Slotkin herself refrained from explicitly stating opposition to Schumer, instead telling reporters, “I am seeking change.”

A number of newly elected Democratic officials have similarly voiced their opposition to Schumer’s leadership bid, such as Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan and Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota. El-Sayed stated he deeply appreciates Senator Schumer, but views the moment as a call for different leadership.

“This is about leadership for the American public, and if all we do is kind of go back to what we’ve been doing in a moment where we’ve been given a mandate, I worry that we may not earn our mandate,” El-Sayed told NPR this week.

Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland are among several Democrats who have publicly voiced their backing for Schumer.

Democrats will vote by secret ballot for majority leader in early December. The victor will take charge of a 55-seat majority, which might potentially expand to 56 depending on the final outcome of the U.S.