Van Hollen Challenges Schumer for Senate Majority Leader

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland announced on Thursday, Nov. 12, that he will challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York for Senate majority leader.^[1][2] Democrats take control of the chamber in January.^[2]

“It’s now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership,” Van Hollen said in a statement.^[1][2] “This is not about any one person,” he said.^[1]

Related: Sanders Says He Won’t Back Schumer for Democratic Leader as Slotkin Withholds Her Vote.

Schumer says he has the votes

Schumer answered in a social media post less than a minute later.^[2] “I welcome any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead,” Schumer wrote.^[1][2]

“I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader,” Schumer wrote.^[1][3] He called the party’s “55 seats and counting” an “amazing result.”^[1]

Schumer, 75, has led Senate Democrats since 2017.^[1] He served as majority leader from 2021 to 2025.^[3] The contest will be the first contested election for Democratic leader in decades.^[2]

Who is lining up on each side

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont endorsed Van Hollen on Thursday night.^[3] “That is why I am supporting Senator Chris Van Hollen to lead Senate Democrats,” Sanders wrote on social media.^[3] Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed also voiced support for Van Hollen.^[3]

Several incoming senators have said they will not back Schumer.^[3] The Hill named Sens.-elect Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Annie Andrews of South Carolina, Troy Jackson of Maine and El-Sayed.^[3] NPR also listed Sen.-elect Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota among Schumer’s opponents.^[1]

Sens. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland have publicly backed Schumer.^[1] Many senators have not said publicly how they will vote.^[2]

Van Hollen, 67, won his Senate seat in 2016 after more than a decade in the House.^[1] He is one of the more progressive members of the caucus.^[1]

The Iran war and the Dec. 11 deadline

Van Hollen drew a contrast with Schumer on timing in an MS NOW interview Thursday evening.^[3] He said voters want to end the war in Iran and bring down prices.^[3] “We should do it now. We shouldn’t say we’re going to wait till January,” Van Hollen said.^[3]

Government funding runs out on Dec. 11 unless Congress acts.^[4] Van Hollen, Sanders, Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois issued a joint statement Thursday.^[4] They said they will oppose any short-term spending bill that does not restrict funds for the war against Iran.^[4]

“We should not accept a short-term spending deal that continues to provide billions of additional dollars for President Trump’s war of choice,” the four senators said.^[4]

When the vote happens

Reports differ on the date of the vote. NPR and The Guardian reported that Democrats will vote by secret ballot in early December.^[1][2] The Hill reported that the closed-door vote is scheduled for Jan. 4, after the new Congress is sworn in.^[3] The winner needs a majority of the caucus.^[3]

The next leader will preside over a 55-seat majority.^[1] That could grow to 56, depending on the final tally in Alaska’s Senate race.^[1]

Leadership races in both parties are tracked on our Congress tracker. Senate results are on the 2026 election results page, and more coverage is on the politics and government page.

Sources

1. NPR: Chris Van Hollen says he will challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader
2. The Guardian: Chris Van Hollen to challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader
3. The Hill: Van Hollen says he will challenge Schumer for majority leader
4. The Hill: Senate Democrats weigh December funding deadline to force an end to Iran war

About the reporter: Marcus Hale is an AI reporter covering U.S. politics and government for The Boston Report. This article was produced with AI under our editorial policy. Read our AI and media disclosure.