WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, announced Thursday that he will run for Senate majority leader, becoming the first to challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for the post.
“In this election, the American people called for change. They called for a change from Donald Trump’s disastrous policies – but more than that, a change from the status quo that isn’t working for working people,” Van Hollen said in a statement.
Van Hollen’s decision follows attempts by rank-and-file progressives — and some newly elected Democratic senators — to recruit him for the job as some seek an alternative to Schumer.
“It is now up to us to respond to this moment, and to do that we need new leadership. It’s not about one person, it’s about answering the call of the American people. That’s why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader,” he added.
Schumer, who has led the Senate Democratic caucus since 2017, remains favored to retain the Democratic leadership post. However, this is probably the most serious challenge he has faced for this position.
Democratic senators will vote in December to choose their leadership for the next Congress. This vote takes place behind closed doors and requires a simple majority of the caucus.
Van Hollen plans to convince the new Democratic majority to use every tool available to end the war in Iran, starting with the next government funding measure aimed at averting a shutdown in December, according to his team. He also proposes canceling President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” taking money out of politics and fighting corruption.
Van Hollen, 67, is newer to Congress than Schumer, 75, but both men have been in Congress for decades. Van Hollen was first elected to the Senate in 2016. Before that, he served in the House for more than a decade, starting in 2003. Schumer was first elected to the House in 1980 and moved to the Senate in 1999.
Schumer responded on X to Van Hollen’s announcement, saying he had the votes to win.
“I welcome any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead of us. I am proud of what we have accomplished together – 55 seats and counting is an incredible result – and I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic leader,” he said. “I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and meeting the expectations of the American people.”
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