Democrats turn on Schumer after historic election wins as potential challenger emerges
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faces a rebellion within his own party as some Democrats seek to replace him following the party's historic election wins that will give them control of the Senate.
The calls for change that helped flip the Senate on Election Night have now reached the chamber itself, where some Democrats are turning their backs on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer intends to seek another term as Democratic leader as his party prepares to take control of the Senate next year, but progressive forces energized by the party's blue-wave victories want to replace him.
Rebellion grows
His caucus is fracturing over whether to support him, with longtime allies such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and newer members such as Sen. Elissa Slotkin having declared this week that they would not back him for leader. Schumer's detractors are eying Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who has said that he's 'kicking the tires' on a 2028 presidential run, to challenge him.
Progressive pushback
Outside groups, like the progressive organization Indivisible, are bucking Schumer too. They recently launched the 'Tell Democrats: NO Schumer Coronation' campaign urging supporters to push their senator to not back Schumer. Showings of support for Van Hollen took the form of blue, orange and pink sticky notes attached to a plaque outside his office, while protesters chanted outside Schumer's personal office 'hey, hey, ho, ho, Chuck Schumer has got to go.'
Several senators-elect that rode the blue wave to Washington have publicly said they will not support Schumer for leader. Some were not the DSCC's preferred nominees in key battleground primaries. Senators-elect Adam Hamilton, Peggy Flanagan, Scott Colom and Abdul El-Sayed have all publicly rejected Schumer as the Democratic leader.
Mixed reactions
Schumer still has several allies in the caucus, including Sen. John Fetterman, who dismissed Van Hollen's prospective challenge. 'Well, what's his record, other than yelling about anti-Israel stuff, or last year when he visited that wife beating guy in prison,' Fetterman said, in reference to Van Hollen's trip to visit a constituent who was mistakenly deported.
We are about to win nine Senate seats. That has never happened in my political history.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirstin Gillibrand fiercely defended Schumer on Tuesday. She lauded his 'vision' for helping score several pick-ups in the cycle, and investing early in states like Mississippi. 'And that is why you will see, despite all the grumblings, enormous gratitude for the hard work he has done to get us to this position,' Gillibrand said.
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