Overview
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen declared Thursday that he will run for Senate majority leader, formally challenging Sen. Chuck Schumer after weeks of private and public pressure for new leadership.
- Van Hollen says he has more than 10 private pledges of support and named Sen.-elect Abdul El‑Sayed as an early backer while acknowledging he is the underdog against the incumbent.
- Schumer responded that he plans to seek reelection as leader and has told colleagues he has the votes to remain majority leader.
- The Democratic caucus will choose its leader by a closed, secret ballot in early December, compressing behind-the-scenes outreach and leaving outcomes dependent on private commitments from returning and incoming senators.
- The result will shape the new majority’s agenda on issues such as health-care affordability, war funding and campaign spending rules and will test party unity after the Democrats’ large midterm gains.