In my view, the time is now for change,
Sen. Bernie Sanders announced on November 10, 2026, as he declared he would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer for Democratic leader.
The decision by Sanders, I-Vt., opens a high-stakes leadership fight in the U.S. Senate following midterm elections that handed Democrats a verified majority of at least 54 seats. Schumer, D-N.Y., has led the Senate Democratic caucus for a decade and maintains he will retain his position when party elections occur next month, NBC News reported.
The Democratic Party needs a new and bold direction. I will not support Chuck Schumer’s reelection as Democratic leader. pic.twitter.com/2cSqp25Y4x
Sanders stood alongside Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., at a Washington news conference on Tuesday to oppose Schumer’s bid for another two-year term as leader.
While Sanders acknowledged that Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., raised substantial funds for competitive campaigns, he argued that electoral success should not guarantee an automatic renewal.
Slotkin urged colleagues to withhold a quorum if leadership runs unopposed without sufficient plans.
Sanders stated that he has known Schumer for over thirty years and respects his relentless work ethic, but insisted that the Democratic caucus needs a vigorous debate and an open process to determine its path forward.
Joining the push for a new direction, several incoming freshman senators have also voiced reservations or outright opposition to Schumer’s continued tenure, including Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Troy Jackson of Maine, and Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan.
Neither Sanders nor Slotkin launched a personal bid for the leadership post, instead pointing to Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., as a potential successor.
"I'm confident I will be elected majority leader" — Schumer pic.twitter.com/QWg0qUVhEi
Van Hollen told reporters at a Groundwork Action event on Tuesday that he was actively listening to calls for a new direction and contacting colleagues to gauge support, The Guardian reported.
The Senate Democratic caucus needs a little bit of democracy itself in this moment,
Van Hollen said during a live interview, emphasizing that the position should not be coronation.
Van Hollen also noted he is eyeing a potential 2028 presidential campaign, FOX 5, DC reported.
Van Hollen emphasized the importance of addressing economic inequality and foreign policy concerns, noting that the next majority leader must commit to ending the war in Iran.
Brian Bryant, international president of the 600,000-member IAM Union, sent a letter to Schumer and the caucus on November 10, 2026, calling for new leadership.
JEFFRIES says "yes" when @mkraju asked him if Schumer should be Senate Dem leader again.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers stated that the caucus must prioritize working-class pocketbook issues and swift economic policy changes, according to the IAM Union release.
Polling released on Tuesday by YouGov for Indivisible found that only 10 percent of voters favored Schumer to serve as majority leader, while 57 percent preferred another candidate, Truthout reported.
Jeffries says he thinks Schumer should be Senate majority leader: “Chuck Schumer was the quarterback of a team effort led by Senate Democrats and incredible candidates who ran all across the country.”
Schumer dismissed the opposition and voiced strong confidence in his upcoming re-election during Tuesday press appearances, The Guardian reported.
When the manager takes you to the World Series, you give them another contract,
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., told reporters, according to NBC News.
Schumer maintained that the caucus is united in its focus on lowering costs, reducing political chaos, and tackling corruption. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly similarly stated his intention to support Schumer given the hard work required to secure the chamber’s majority, while echoing calls for the party to adopt fresh approaches moving forward.
Senate Democrats are scheduled to hold their leadership elections next month.