The progressive wing takes aim at Chuck Schumer: Chris Van Hollen launches his campaign to lead the Senate
"In this election, the American people called for change," Senator Chris Van Hollen said. "They called for a change from Donald Trump's disastrous policies – but even bigger than that, a change from the status quo that isn't working for working people."
Chris Van Hollen challenges Chuck Schumer for a Senate seat
Progressive Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland officially announced that he will run against New Yorker Chuck Schumer for the leadership of the Democratic caucus in the Senate—a position that, starting in January, will be equivalent to that of the majority leader following the Democratic Party's landslide victory in the midterm elections.
Van Hollen announced in a statement in which he presented his candidacy as a response to the message from the polls.
"In this election, the American people called for change," the senator said. "They called for a change from Donald Trump's disastrous policies – but even bigger than that, a change from the status quo that isn't working for working people."
The 67-year-old lawmaker insisted that Democrats need a change of course.
"It's now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership," he 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."
His criticisms in the days leading up to the election targeted the New York senator. Van Hollen accused Schumer of prioritizing the crypto industry and the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) over the progressive candidates who ultimately won their races in November.
The challenge comes after a round of talks with his Senate colleagues and after Van Hollen initially considered joining the 2028 presidential race. Since joining the Senate in 2017, after his time in the House of Representatives, he has consistently positioned himself to the left of Schumer, who is 75 years old and has held elected office since 1981.
The candidacy already has support from rising figures on the Democratic left. Among them is Senator-elect and Muslim Abdul El-Sayed, who said he had asked Van Hollen to run as early as April and described him as a leader with courage and experience.
Schumer, meanwhile, responded to the challenge by expressing confidence that he would retain his seat: "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 Democratic majority and delivering for the American people."
The Democratic leader also received the backing of key allies, such as Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, who is seeking to become the party's second-in-command, replacing Dick Durbin. Schatz credited Schumer with restoring the Democrats' majority and said he will vote for him in the primary.
The decision will be in the hands of the Democratic senators, who must elect their leader in a caucus vote.
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