Chris Van Hollen launches challenge to Chuck Schumer for Senate Democratic leadership

Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, announced on Thursday, 12 November 2026, that he will challenge Senator Chuck Schumer of New York for the post of Senate majority leader, CBS News and NBC News reported. Democrats are due to take control of the Senate in January after gains in this month's midterm elections.

NBC News reported that Mr Van Hollen is the first senator to challenge Mr Schumer, who has led the Democratic caucus since 2017.

What Van Hollen said

In a post on X, Mr Van Hollen wrote: "To deliver, we need new leadership," and "That's why I'm running for Senate Majority Leader," according to CBS News. NBC News reported that in a statement he said he was "answering the call of the American people".

In an interview with MS NOW, Mr Van Hollen described himself as an "underdog" but said the race was "very much in flux", CBS News reported. NBC News reported that he said in the same interview that more than 10 senators had pledged to support him. That figure is his own claim and the senators were not named in the coverage reviewed for this story.

According to NBC News, his platform includes using the new majority's tools to end the war with Iran, starting with the government funding measure needed to avoid a shutdown in December; reversing President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill"; and reducing the role of money in politics. CBS News reported that he urged the use of the 11 December government funding deadline as leverage, saying the matter "should not be a finger-in-the-wind issue". CBS also reported that he criticised Mr Schumer for backing candidates in contested Democratic primaries.

Schumer's response

Mr Schumer wrote on X that he welcomed "any discussion about the future of our caucus" and that he has "the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader", according to both CBS News and NBC News. He described the caucus's position after the election as "55 seats and counting". CBS News reported that Democrats flipped at least eight seats, with a race in Alaska still undecided.

Who is backing whom

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, said he would support Mr Van Hollen, both outlets reported. CBS News quoted him as writing: "The American people voted for change." NBC News reported that Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed also endorsed Mr Van Hollen.

CBS News reported that Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada endorsed Mr Schumer late on Thursday. NBC News reported that Senator Angus King, an independent from Maine, praised Mr Schumer's leadership, and both outlets reported that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, defended him.

CBS News reported that Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan said she was "seeking change" but was not seeking the job herself.

The vote

Senate Democrats will choose their leader in a closed-door vote in December, with a simple majority of the caucus required, NBC News reported. CBS News reported that leadership elections are expected early next month.

Mr Van Hollen, 67, has served in the Senate since 2017 after more than a decade in the House of Representatives. Mr Schumer, 75, has been in the Senate since 1999, according to NBC News.