Democratic civil war erupts as Van Hollen challenges Chuck Schumer for Senate Majority Leader

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

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Chris Van Hollen, the Democratic senator from Maryland, will challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate Majority Leader in the next Congress.

He announced on Thursday that he is running, after his party swept to power in the midterm elections. Van Hollen said in a statement that “the American people called for change,” which is why he is running. “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.”

In a statement issued after Van Hollen's announcement, Schumer said he welcomes any discussion about the future of the caucus. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together — 55 seats and counting is an amazing result — and I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader,” Schumer said. “I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and delivering for the American people.”

Schumer has said he has the support he needs to win the race. The contest will be the first contested election for Senate Democratic leader in decades. A closed-door, secret-ballot election will decide it in early December. The question of whether to reelect Schumer had already divided the caucus before Van Hollen entered the race.

Many senators have declined to say publicly how they will vote. They have privately deliberated about what message to take from the election, and many are torn. Schumer recruited many of the party's winning candidates and raised money for them, but progressive groups are pushing to remove him. To pitch his reelection, Schumer has been working one-on-one with Democratic senators to form an agenda for 2027.

In private caucus meetings this week, he opened discussion on a broad plan for the party's first 100 days in power.

The plan included health care and tariff…

Even as…

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