Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has formally entered the race to lead Senate Democrats, challenging Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as the party prepares to take control of the chamber.
Van Hollen, 67, has become a favored choice among progressives who want a change in leadership. In announcing his candidacy, he said voters had called for change—not only from President Donald Trump’s policies, but also from a status quo he argued has failed working people.
“This is not about any one person,” Van Hollen said. “It’s about answering the call of the American people. That is why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader.”
He has served in Congress for 23 years, first in the House and then in the Senate, where he has been since 2017. Schumer, 75, has held elected office since 1981.
Van Hollen’s decision follows a listening tour with Senate Democrats. He had also recently considered whether to enter the conversation about the 2028 presidential race.
A member of the Senate’s progressive wing, Van Hollen criticized Schumer earlier this week, accusing him of favoring the cryptocurrency industry and AIPAC over progressive candidates who won in the midterm elections.
He has drawn support from prominent progressives, including Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, who urged him to run. El-Sayed said Democrats had yet to earn a mandate and would need bold leadership, adding that Van Hollen brought both courage and experience.
Schumer said he welcomed discussion about the caucus’s future, but argued that his leadership had helped Democrats win 55 seats. He said he had the votes to remain leader and looked forward to leading the new majority.
Schumer’s allies have also backed him. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, who is seeking to become the caucus’s whip, credited Schumer with helping Democrats return to the majority and endorsed him in the leadership contest.
Schatz said Democrats should focus on lowering costs, ending what he called a needless war, and fighting corruption. The caucus should discuss its direction, he said, but move quickly to unite and get to work.
