Senate Democrats won back the majority in the November 3 midterms, but they have not yet settled who will lead it. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said this week he will not support Chuck Schumer for another term as Democratic leader, joining a growing list of senators and senators-elect calling for new leadership. Schumer says he is confident he will keep the job.
When Upstormed News last reported on the Senate leadership races, possible challengers were weighing their options quietly. Sanders’ public announcement on Tuesday, November 10, is the most prominent break so far.
What happened
At a Capitol news conference, Sanders praised Schumer’s work ethic but said, “The time is now for change,” the Associated Press reported via PBS NewsHour. He did not endorse a replacement.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan appeared alongside him and called for “a new generation of leadership,” Fox News reported. She told reporters she would not back any candidate until she sees a full plan for the majority, and Roll Call reported she urged colleagues to withhold a quorum during the leadership election until such a plan is presented.
Several incoming Democrats have also said they will not vote for Schumer. Fox News earlier listed five senators-elect taking that position: Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Julia Stratton of Illinois, Troy Jackson of Maine, Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota and Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan.
Is there a challenger?
No one has formally entered the race. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who earlier said he was not interested, now says he has not shut the door. A person familiar with his thinking told Roll Call he is in “active listening mode.” Van Hollen told reporters, “we shouldn’t have a coronation,” arguing the caucus should agree on a plan before choosing a leader, CBS News Baltimore reported. El-Sayed has said Van Hollen would do a great job. Van Hollen has also said he is considering a 2028 presidential run.
The case for Schumer
Schumer, 75, served as majority leader from 2021 to 2025. His supporters point to the election results: AP noted that he recruited candidates such as Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Roy Cooper in North Carolina, and Democrats flipped Republican-held seats in states including Texas, Kansas and South Carolina. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, praised his fundraising and recruiting, and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona said he supports him, Roll Call reported.
Schumer has argued the debate is not about him. “The issue is not me. I’ll be re-elected as majority leader,” he said the day after the election, according to Fox News. He has said Democrats’ priorities will include lowering the cost of living, fighting government corruption and ending the Iran war.
The case for change
Critics say voters sent a message about the party’s direction and want fresh faces. AP noted that Schumer’s preferred candidates lost Democratic primaries in Michigan and Maine to progressive challengers who went on to win. Van Hollen has also criticized Schumer and the campaign committee for taking sides in primaries, Roll Call reported. Some critics have not named an alternative and say they want a clear plan first.
How the vote works
The leader is chosen by a simple majority of the Democratic caucus in a secret ballot, so individual votes are not made public. A date has not been announced: AP reported elections were expected later this month, while Roll Call reported they are expected in December. The new majority takes over when the next Congress convenes in January 2027. A University of Maryland political scientist told CBS that Van Hollen would likely run only if assured of significant support, while a Salisbury University professor said Schumer is likely to stay.
Across the Capitol, House Democrats are lining up behind Hakeem Jeffries for speaker (see our earlier report), and Senate Republicans have kept John Thune as their leader.
What to watch next
- Whether Van Hollen or another senator formally challenges Schumer.
- A date for the Senate Democratic leadership election.
- How many undecided senators publicly commit, which could signal Schumer’s level of support.
- Whether the leadership fight affects lame-duck negotiations ahead of the December 11 government funding deadline.
Upstormed News will follow the race and report the outcome.
Why it matters for families
The Senate majority leader decides which bills reach the floor and when. Whoever leads the new Democratic majority will shape how quickly the Senate takes up issues like household costs, health care, government funding and presidential nominees in 2027.
Read more: House Republicans Pick Jim Jordan as Leader; Senate GOP Keeps Thune
Should Senate Democrats stick with experience or choose new leadership? Tell us in the comments.
Sources: PBS NewsHour/AP, “‘The time is now for change.’ Bernie Sanders won’t support Schumer for Senate Democratic leader” (November 10, 2026); Roll Call, “Rift grows among Senate Democrats over who will lead in majority” (November 10, 2026); CBS News Baltimore, “Maryland Sen. Van Hollen in ‘listening mode’ on possible Schumer challenge for majority leader” (November 10, 2026); Fox News, “Bernie Sanders says he won’t back Schumer as push for new leadership gains steam” (November 11, 2026); Fox News, “Chuck Schumer after sweeping Democratic midterm victories: ‘I’ll be re-elected as majority leader’” (November 4, 2026)
Leave a Reply