Exclusive: Van Hollen says Dem leadership convo "should start now"

• But Durbin will retain his seat until the next year's midterms, so the passing of the baton wouldn't happen any time soon.

Driving the news: Van Hollen did not make an endorsement — but he signaled in an interview with Axios' Stephen Neukam that he doesn't think it's too early to start talking about the road ahead.

• "My view is the conversation should start now, and there are ongoing conversations, but they should finish after the election," he said.

Zoom out: The map for Senate Dems in 2026 is daunting. Van Hollen recognized that Wednesday, noting his party will have a "steeper climb" to regaining the majority in that chamber than in the House.

• But he said that if the election acts as "a referendum" on Trump, "that obviously provides opportunities for the Democrats."
• Trump's "standing," he said, has "absolutely plummeted." Several prominent polls recently lodged sinking approval ratings for the president, some to historic lows for this early in a term.

• "It's been a disastrous 100 days, and the American people are onto it," Van Hollen said.

Yes, but: The path forward for the party — which has also seen its favorability crater — isn't just about fighting Trump, Van Hollen suggested.

• The Democrats also need to "provide an alternative vision for the country," he said.
• "We should have a plan that does focus on working people and provides working people with some real tax relief, because they are being squeezed from all sides."

Go deeper: Inside the potentially bitter fight to replace Dick Durbin