USAupdated 56m ago2 min read
Archive photo · 6 April 2017Chris Van Hollen Announces Challenge to Chuck Schumer for Senate Majority Leader
4 Western Mainstream1 Local Western1 Other1 West AsianPhoto: U.S. Senate Photographic Studio / US federal government, Public domain · Cropped for layout
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Chris Van Hollen announced bid to challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader. Challenge follows Democrats' midterm gains and calls for new leadership.
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Van Hollen challenges Schumer
Sen. Chris Van Hollen announced he will challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader, saying, "This isn't about any one person – it's about answering that call."
“That's why I'm running for Senate Majority Leader.”
Van Hollen told MS NOW that he is planning to run for the Senate majority leader and said, "This is not about any one individual, but it is about answering the call of the American people."
Sen. Chuck Schumer responded by saying he welcomes "any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead," and he added, "I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader."
Sen. Bernie Sanders quickly threw his support behind Van Hollen, and CBS News Baltimore quoted Maarten Pereboom saying, "Sounds like Schumer is likely to stay."
Endorsements and internal splits
Sen. Chris Van Hollen argued that the midterm result was a mandate for change, telling MS NOW, "The scale and scope of this victory — 56 Senate Democratic seats — really gives us a mandate and the votes to do big things."
Sen. Ruben Gallego said, "When the manager takes you to the World Series, you give him another contract," framing Schumer as the beneficiary of the party's midterm success.
Sen. Van Hollen disputed that framing, saying, "It wasn't orchestrated from Washington, D.C., or the DSCC — it was a people-powered movement."
Sen. Elissa Slotkin said, "We need a new generation of leadership," and she added that she and Sanders agree on the need for change.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen also told Jen Psaki that he is an underdog, saying, "Am I the underdog? Yes," while he argued the American people want more democracy in the Senate Democratic Caucus.
What is at stake next
Senate Democrats will hold a secret-ballot leadership election on Dec. 1, and Axios said the leadership fight exposes divisions within the Democratic Party days after its sweeping midterm victory.
“Senate Democrats will hold a secret-ballot leadership election Dec. 1.”
Van Hollen argued that the leadership contest is about how Democrats confront President Donald Trump during his final two years, and TRT World said the winner will help determine how Democrats pursue their legislative agenda and approach issues ranging from healthcare to the Middle East.
Schumer told colleagues he is locked up the votes to be majority leader, and The Hill said he is also laying out a comprehensive plan for the new Democratic Senate in 2027.
Axios said Schumer has public support from 14 senators including himself, while Van Hollen has five, and it said a candidate will need 28 or 29 votes to win depending on the outcome of Alaska's Senate race where votes are still being counted.
CBS News said Schumer wrote, "I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and delivering for the American people," as Van Hollen pressed for new leadership ahead of the Dec. 1 vote.