Van Hollen takes aim at Schumer as Democrats face first big test after midterms – US politics live

There have been murmurings of a possible leadership challenge in recent days, with a number of Democrats questioning whether Schumer is the right person to lead the party into its next chapter.

Among the most outspoken was Kansas senator-elect Adam Hamilton, who warned Schumer was seen by many people in his state as a “polarising” and “divisive” figure.

“What I’d be looking for is a leader who can lead from the centre,” he told NBC on Sunday. “Somebody who can bring Republicans and Democrats together, somebody who can bring the various factions in the Democratic party together. Somebody with fresh ideas.

“No disrespect for Chuck Schumer, just it feels like it is a time for fresh and new ideas and somebody who can unite us instead of dividing us.”

Senator Elissa Slotkin, of Michigan, has also made clear she does not support Schumer as leader.

“I think whoever wants to run this caucus should come forward with a plan on how they’re going to govern differently, what they’re going to do in the first 100 days to put money in people’s pockets and then in particular how they’re going to communicate differently,” Slotkin said on Tuesday, adding that she was not actively seeking the position herself.

Speaking alongside her at the joint press conference, independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with the Democrats, praised Schumer’s role in the party’s success in the midterms but argued such victories should not entitle him to another term in the leadership.

“I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. Nobody works harder than Chuck Schumer,” Sanders said.

“But in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be re-elected as the Democratic leader.”

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Barely a week after sweeping to a stunning midterm victory, Democrats have found themselves facing an altogether different battle, one within their own ranks.

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has launched a challenge to Chuck Schumer, of New York, for the Senate’s top Democratic leadership post. Announcing his decision during an interview with MS Now last night, Van Hollen argued that last week’s midterm election results showed Americans wanted a fundamental change in Washington, and that Democrats needed new leadership in order to deliver that.

We saw a huge outburst of democracy on election day – red states, blue states, purple states – and it wasn’t only a rejection of Donald Trump and his corruption, his wars and his cruelty, it was also about a call for a larger change, to take on a broken economic system that’s rigged in favour of the very wealthy against working people, and it’s fuelled by a corrupt political system.

The call was to reject the status quo and to reject business as usual, and to do that, I think we need new leadership.”

His challenge came just days after Democrats secured control of the Senate, winning at least 55 seats in what has been a remarkable election cycle for the party. Winning the leadership contest requires a majority of the caucus, about 28 or 29 senators, with an election scheduled for next month.

The caucus votes behind closed doors by secret ballot, but Van Hollen told MS Now that he had the support of “more than 10” Democratic senators.

Progressive heavyweight Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont who caucuses with the Democrats, has already publicly declared he will not support Schumer, saying “the time is now for change”. Endorsing Van Hollen, Sanders said: “The American people voted for change. They want a Democratic Party that will stand up to powerful special interests, take on the billionaire class and fight for working families.”

Incoming Democratic senator Abdul El-Sayed, of Michigan, has also openly backed Van Hollen, saying he was “proud to stand with him in his bid to lead our Senate majority”.

The American public spoke clearly last week. They rejected Trumpism. But we have yet to earn our mandate. That will require bold leadership. I called [Van Hollen] to lead our caucus as a candidate back in April because he leads with courage and experience. We need both right now.”

Responding to Van Hollen’s leadership bid, Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since January 2017, said he welcomed “a discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead”, but that he had the votes to be re-elected as leader.