DENVER — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing a challenge from the left that could test his hold on the Democratic caucus. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who has served under Schumer since 2017, is making the case for a more aggressive approach—and says the Senate should end the filibuster.
Schumer previously tried, unsuccessfully, to change the rule in order to pass a major voting-rights bill. Republicans have also discussed doing away with the filibuster in recent years, but have not acted.
Van Hollen argues that a Senate majority should be able to respond to voters, which would mean legislation could pass with 51 votes. He sees the filibuster as an undemocratic rule that is not part of the Constitution and gives senators power at the expense of the public.
On Thursday night, after talking with fellow Democrats, Van Hollen announced his bid to replace Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats for nearly a decade. A contested leadership election would be unusual: Democrats have not held one since 1994.
Van Hollen had been considering a run for higher office, including a possible 2028 presidential campaign. He said in Denver that he is no longer pursuing that path and is instead focusing on the leadership race and the party’s response to President Donald Trump.
He described his challenge as a response to voters’ demands for change following Democrats’ strong midterm results and Trump’s policies. Van Hollen said he had spoken with Schumer and believes Democrats should have a choice in who leads them.
Van Hollen has faulted Schumer for not bringing some popular Democratic proposals to a vote, including legislation intended to strengthen unions. He says the next majority should pass the measures its candidates campaigned on, rather than waiting to see what Trump might do.
Unseating Schumer will be difficult. The incumbent has a strong support network and can offer colleagues influential leadership roles. The secret-ballot vote is expected in early December, and the winner will need 28 votes—or 29 if Democrats win Alaska. Counting is still underway there in the Senate race between Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.
Some people attending the “What’s Next” conference in Denver said they welcomed the prospect of a leadership change. Jenny, a Denver resident, said she did not want Democrats to return to the way things had been and viewed the moment as a turning point. She also said it was time for Schumer to step aside.
Ara, another Denver resident, said she thought Van Hollen already had meaningful support and had a good chance of winning. Zoe said his willingness to stand up for constituents reflected the kind of fight younger voters want to see from their representatives.
