US senator Chris Van Hollen to challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader

US Democratic Senator 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.

The announcement from the progressive senator sets up an internal party clash as long-term Democratic Senate leader Schumer, 75, has faced calls from some in his party to step aside for new leadership.

Van Hollen, who has support from some of the more vocal progressives within the party, is the first senator to openly challenge Schumer.

Van Hollen said in a statement that he is running because “the American people called for change”.

“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.”

Left-wing independent Senator Bernie Sanders said this week that he would not support Schumer in continuing his role.

Newly-elected Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan posted on X that he also backed Van Hollen.

Schumer said he welcomed discussion about the future of the party, but insisted: "I have the votes to continue serving as the Democratic Leader."

"I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and delivering for the American people," he wrote on X.

While Schumer is the favorite to win, Van Hollen’s run exposes a rift in the party that opened in the spring of 2025, when Schumer was put on the defensive since he sided with Republicans on a spending vote.

Even as Schumer has redeemed himself within his caucus since then — leading them through a government shutdown last year and orchestrating huge wins in the election — many in the Democratic base are agitating for generational change.

Van Hollen, 67, is not that much younger than Schumer, 75. But he has positioned himself as a new face in the party. He has also said he is considering a run for president.

It 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.