Van Hollen to challenge Schumer for Senate Democratic leader, saying voters ‘called for change’

Van Hollen to challenge Schumer for Senate Democratic leader, saying voters ‘called for change’ Advertisement Updated: 8:13 PM CST Nov 12, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press Van Hollen to challenge Schumer for Senate Democratic leader, saying voters ‘called for change’ Updated: 8:13 PM CST Nov 12, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said Thursday that he will run for Senate Majority Leader in the next Congress, setting up a challenge to Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer after the party swept to power in the midterm elections. Van Hollen said in a statement that "the American people called for change" and that is why he is running. Advertisement "It's now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership," Van Hollen said. "This is not about any one person — it's about answering the call of the American people. That is why I'm running for Senate Majority Leader." Van Hollen's challenge comes after he said he was considering a bid and after Schumer has said he has the necessary support to win. The closed-door, secret-ballot election will be held in early December. The race will be the first contested election for Democratic leader in decades. The question of whether to reelect Schumer has already divided the caucus and many senators will not say publicly how they will vote. They have privately deliberated about what message to take from the election, and Schumer recruited many of the party's winning candidates and raised money for them. Schumer has been talking to Democratic senators since the election about forming an agenda for 2027. "I'm going to win it," Schumer told The Associated Press in an interview last week. Republicans, Democrats select next leaders for new Congress Make WISN a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Anthony Clark, a comedian and actor who starred on 'Yes, Dear,' dies WATCH: Baby bear captured on Ring camera 'ding-dong ditching' home at 2 a.m. Teen who has autism found alive after missing for nearly a week in the Australian woodlands Microsoft confirms Outlook outage affecting users worldwide