Sen. Bernie Sanders is refusing to support Chuck Schumer’s bid to become Senate majority leader, adding pressure to an increasingly public debate over who should lead Democrats when they take control of the chamber in January.
Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, announced his decision Tuesday, November 10, during a news conference at the Capitol alongside Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. Both lawmakers called for a change in leadership and a clearer plan for what Democrats intend to accomplish with their incoming Senate majority.
Sanders said the recent midterm elections demonstrated that voters wanted a different direction from Washington, particularly as families continue to struggle with the cost of housing, health care and everyday expenses.
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“If this campaign was about anything, it was about change and the need for the Democratic Party, in my view, to move in a new and bold direction,” Sanders said.
He also acknowledged his longstanding relationship with Schumer but made clear that personal ties would not determine his position.
“I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. Nobody works harder than Chuck Schumer. But, in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader,” Sanders said.
Sanders called for a vigorous debate about the future of the Democratic Party, arguing that the incoming majority should reflect the priorities voters supported at the ballot box.
His announcement comes as some Democrats question whether Schumer should continue leading the Senate caucus after years in the position. Schumer has led Senate Democrats since 2017 and is seeking another term as the party prepares to take control of the chamber.
Slotkin also stopped short of endorsing Schumer. She said anyone seeking the leadership position should present a detailed governing plan, including specific priorities for the first 100 days.
“Whoever wants my vote is going to have to show me a concrete plan that’s definitively different,” Slotkin said. She added that she was not actively seeking the leadership position herself but wanted to see a change in how Democrats approach governing and communicate with voters.
Chris Van Hollen Emerges As Potential Challenger
Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has emerged as a possible alternative to Schumer, although he has not formally announced a leadership challenge.
Van Hollen said he was contacting fellow senators and listening to colleagues as he considers whether to pursue the position. He has previously indicated that he does not want Schumer to receive an uncontested path to another term.
A challenge would give Senate Democrats an opportunity to debate competing approaches to leading the incoming majority. However, Sanders and Slotkin have not formally endorsed Van Hollen.
Other incoming Democratic senators have also expressed interest in seeing changes in party leadership, adding to the pressure surrounding the upcoming leadership election.
Schumer Says He Has The Votes
Schumer, meanwhile, is not signaling that he intends to step aside.
Speaking with reporters Tuesday, he expressed confidence that he would be elected majority leader and pointed to the party’s unity around its priorities.
“I’m confident I will be elected majority leader, and our caucus is really united in focusing on bringing down costs, on ending the corruption, on ending the chaos, on ending the war,” Schumer said.
He also defended his leadership record as Democrats prepare to take control of the Senate.
The leadership contest is expected to take place in December, ahead of the new Congress beginning in January 2027.
For Sanders, the issue extends beyond who holds the leadership title. He wants Democrats to demonstrate that their election victories will produce a different approach to economic policy and governing.
Whether Schumer faces a formal challenger remains unsettled. What is clear is that Sanders’ announcement has made the question of who should lead Senate Democrats an open fight just as the party prepares to take control of the chamber.
