The senators who could join Van Hollen's insurgency against Schumer
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Summary
Sen. Chris Van Hollen is challenging Sen. Chuck Schumer for Senate Democratic leader, arguing that Democrats need new leadership after their midterm victory. Schumer has more publicly declared support, while several senators have not chosen a side and some others have called for change without endorsing Van Hollen.Key Facts
- Van Hollen, a Maryland senator since 2017, announced his challenge on Thursday.
- Van Hollen said the party needs new leadership and disputed Schumer’s claim to credit for the Democrats’ midterm performance.
- Schumer had public support from 14 senators, including himself, compared with five for Van Hollen, according to the stated counts.
- The winner needs 28 or 29 votes, depending on the outcome of Alaska’s Senate race, where votes were still being counted.
- Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Peggy Flanagan and senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed were named as Van Hollen supporters.
- Elissa Slotkin called for change but had not endorsed either candidate; Peter Welch also called for change without ruling out support for Schumer.
- Schumer’s support for advancing a Republican-backed government funding bill in March 2025 drew criticism from progressives.
- Jon Ossoff, Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, Mark Warner and Patty Murray had not publicly backed either candidate.
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