The senators who could join Van Hollen's insurgency against Schumer
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Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Chuck Schumer at a Capitol news conference opposing Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination in 2018. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
Sen. Chris Van Hollen is picking up endorsements in his challenge to Chuck Schumer for Senate Democratic leader.
Why it matters: The leadership fight exposes divisions within the Democratic Party days after its sweeping midterm victory, with some demanding a new direction and others crediting Schumer for the historic blue wave.
Driving the news: Van Hollen (D-Md.), a senator since 2017, announced Thursday he's challenging Schumer because "we need new leadership."
- "This is not about any one person — it's about answering the call of the American people."
The other side: Schumer has far more public endorsements than Van Hollen.
- "Why would you fire the manager when you just won the World Series?" Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said in a statement of support for Schumer.
- Van Hollen has disputed Schumer's claim to credit for the party's midterm performance, arguing that the wave was powered by voters rather than leaders in Washington.
By the numbers: Schumer has public support from 14 senators, including himself, compared with five for Van Hollen. A candidate will need 28 or 29 votes to win, depending on the outcome of Alaska's Senate race, where votes are still being counted.
Senators backing Van Hollen
State of play: Van Hollen told MS NOW he has "more than 10" senators on his side, though only four have publicly endorsed him.
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed Van Hollen on Thursday night, saying he will fight for working families.
- Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed (D-Mich.) threw his support behind Van Hollen when he announced his challenge Thursday.
- Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) issued an endorsement for Van Hollen Friday afternoon.
- Incoming Sen. Peggy Flanagan (D-Minn.) endorsed Van Hollen Friday morning after previously calling for new leadership.
Who wants new leadership?
Some sitting senators have called for a leadership change without endorsing Van Hollen.
- Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) has called for change but hasn't endorsed either candidate.
- Before Van Hollen announced his candidacy, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) told NBC 5 Democrats "absolutely are committed to change," but didn't rule out supporting Schumer.
Several Democratic senators-elect have also called for new leadership:
- Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton (D-Kan.).
- Sen.-elect Juliana Stratton (D-Ill.).
- Sen.-elect Troy Jackson (D-Maine).
- Sen.-elect Annie Andrews (D-S.C.).
- Sen.-elect Chris Pappas (D-N.H.).
Context: Progressive critics say Schumer hasn't fought hard enough against President Trump and his agenda.
- Schumer's decision to help advance a Republican-backed government funding bill in March 2025 fueled the progressive backlash against his leadership.
- The progressive Working Families Party urged Schumer "not to seek another term as Senate Democratic Leader" in a letter, as first reported by Axios. Another labor group has also opposed Schumer and endorsed Van Hollen.
Who's backing Schumer?
Schumer entered the leadership fight with broad support among Senate Democrats.
- "I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic leader," Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement this week.
Schumer's public supporters include Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and King, along with Schumer himself.
- Also backing Schumer: Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) and Jack Reed (R.I.).
- Schumer also received pre-election endorsements from Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), though neither has publicly reaffirmed that support since Van Hollen entered the race.
Senators who haven't picked a side
Several sitting senators have yet to publicly back either candidate.
- Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) have not publicly committed to either candidate.
- Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) have called for a caucus debate over leadership.
- Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) have expressed openness to a leadership change without endorsing either candidate.
- Sen.-elect James Talarico (D-Texas) hasn't committed to Schumer and wants to hear his vision for the Senate.
The 2028 factor
Several potential 2028 presidential contenders face a choice over who should lead Senate Democrats.
- Ossoff and Booker, both possible 2028 presidential contenders, have yet to pick sides — leaving them to choose between the party's longtime leader and a changing of the guard.
- Meanwhile, Gallego and Kelly, also seen as possible 2028 contenders, have backed Schumer.
Zoom out: Schumer himself is up for reelection in 2028 and could face a primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who has also been mentioned as a potential presidential contender.
- Schumer could also retire rather than seek reelection.
What's next: Senate Democrats will hold a secret-ballot leadership election Dec. 1.
- Incoming senators will participate, and members can cast their ballots differently from their public endorsements.
