Chris Van Hollen launches bid to unseat Schumer as Senate majority leader

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) said Thursday night that he would be challenging Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for majority leader as a growing chorus of Senate Democrats calls for a new face to lead the party in the 120th Congress.“In this election, Americans called on us to unrig an economy rigged against working people & fueled by political corruption,” Van Hollen said. “To deliver, we need new leadership. This isn’t about any one person – it’s about answering that call. That’s why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader.” Recommended Stories Schumer, 75, has led Senate Democrats for nearly a decade and will be seeking to stay at the helm. Following the midterm elections, Schumer has faced calls from Democratic senators seeking a younger and more progressive leader to helm the party in the next Congress. Among those calling for change are Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), saying there needs to be “vigorous debate” about how the party will move forward as left-wing candidates who notched wins in the midterm elections prepare to take their seats, many of whom have said they would also not support Schumer as leader.THUNE OPEN TO PASSING PARTY-LINE $350 BILLION MILITARY BILL BEFORE DEMOCRATS TAKE POWERSlotkin and Van Hollen, who is younger than Schumer at 67, met Monday about his aspirations for the role. Slotkin, who is more centrist, said she will not vote “yes” on anyone unless they present a “concrete plan.”Senate Democratic leadership elections are expected to take place in early December and will be done by secret ballot, unlike the vote for speaker of the House, which is done by verbal roll call.