Slotkin, Van Hollen emerge as potential challengers to Schumer’s Senate leadership

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is facing the prospect of leadership challenges within his own party, with Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin weighing potential bids for the party’s top spot in the Senate.Chris Van HollenSen. Van Hollen, a progressive Democrat who has criticized Schumer’s leadership, has received a growing number of calls encouraging him to challenge the New York senator and is now actively considering the possibility, Punchbowl News reported Monday, citing a person familiar with his thinking.Speaking on Saturday at a Crooked Media event, Van Hollen said, “we need to have a discussion in the Democratic caucus.” He added, “nobody should get a blank check without a full understanding from the caucus as to where we’re going to go.”