Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen Challenges Chuck Schumer for Senate Leadership

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., announced Thursday that he will challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for Senate majority leader when Democrats take control of the chamber in January.

The bid sets up the party's first contested leadership election in decades, which Democratic senators will decide during a closed-door, secret-ballot vote scheduled for December.

The contest emerges after Democrats gained a majority in the midterm elections, securing at least 55 seats and creating an opportunity for progressives to push for new party leadership.

“In this election, the American people called for change,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., in a statement announcing his candidacy.

“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,” he added.

Schumer, who has led the Democratic caucus since 2017, quickly responded on social media to defend his position.

“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,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Van Hollen told MS NOW in an interview on Thursday night that more than 10 senators have pledged to support his campaign.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., publicly endorsed Van Hollen on social media following the announcement, stating that the time had come for change in Democratic leadership.

Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed also announced his support for Van Hollen, stating on social media that he had previously encouraged the Maryland senator to seek the leadership role.

Van Hollen plans to use the upcoming government funding measure to push for an end to the war in Iran and to repeal President Donald Trump's legislative agenda.

In an interview with NPR, Van Hollen said he intends to use majority oversight powers to investigate cuts made by the Trump administration to global public health programs.

The 67-year-old Maryland senator was first elected to the Senate in 2016 after serving in the House of Representatives since 2003.

Schumer, 75, entered the House in 1980 and won his Senate seat in 1998, having built support by recruiting candidates and fundraising across the country.

Democratic senators will continue private discussions in the coming weeks before choosing their majority leader during the December leadership vote.