Chris Van Hollen Challenges Schumer For Senate Democratic Leader As Bernie Sanders Backs Him
Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen formally announced Thursday night that he will challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate Democratic leader, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is backing him.
The move turns weeks of Democratic frustration with Schumer into a direct contest for the party's top Senate post, the first contested race for that job in decades.
"In this election, Americans called on us to unrig an economy rigged against working people & fueled by political corruption," Van Hollen wrote. "To deliver, we need new leadership. This isn't about any one person – it's about answering that call. That's why I'm running."
Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, confirmed his support after saying earlier this week that he would not vote to keep Schumer as leader.
READ MORE: Chris Van Hollen Rules Out Challenging Schumer but Refuses to Back Him
'The Time Is Now For Change'
"I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. Nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer," Sanders said Tuesday. "But in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be re-elected as the Democratic leader."
Van Hollen also has the support of Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan. "I called on Sen. Chris Van Hollen to lead our caucus as a candidate back in April because he leads with courage and experience," El-Sayed said. "We need both right now."
Other Democrats who have opposed Schumer include Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin and incoming senators Adam Hamilton, Peggy Flanagan and Scott Colom. Slotkin said Tuesday that Democrats need a "new generation of leadership."
Van Hollen has increasingly criticized Schumer's decisions on Democratic primaries and the party's relationship with the cryptocurrency industry and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
"We just saw democracy in America in action. We should bring a little more democracy to the United States Senate," he said earlier this week. "We have two newly-elected senators who would not be there if Schumer and the DSCC had their way."
Schumer: 'I Have The Votes'
Schumer shows no sign of stepping aside. "I welcome any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead," he said after Van Hollen entered the race.
READ MORE: Abdul El-Sayed Refuses to Back Chuck Schumer, Says Chris Van Hollen Would Be an Amazing Leader
"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," he added.
Schumer has led Senate Democrats since 2017, when he succeeded former Nevada Sen. Harry Reid. His standing with progressive activists dropped sharply during Trump's second term, especially after he backed a Republican government funding measure in 2025 rather than risk a shutdown.
He still has significant support inside the caucus. Sens. Sherrod Brown, Angus King and Catherine Cortez Masto are among those backing him, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has credited his strategy with helping Democrats make big Senate gains this year.
The leadership election will be held by secret ballot, expected in early December, so public endorsements may not reflect the final count.
Van Hollen spent 14 years in the House before winning his Senate seat in 2016 and has increasingly aligned himself with the party's progressive wing. What began as scattered criticism after the midterms has become a direct leadership fight, with Sanders and several newly elected Democrats lining up behind Van Hollen.