Bernie Sanders breaks with Schumer after the midterm sweep, and he is not the only Democratic senator who wants a new leader: ‘Time is now for change’

Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders told reporters Tuesday that he will not back Chuck Schumer for another term as Democratic majority leader once the new Congress begins, according to the Associated Press. He made the announcement alongside Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin during a joint appearance at the Capitol.

The two senators argued that Democrats need fresh leadership and an open discussion about where the party should head. Several newly elected Democratic senators have already said they share that view and would prefer someone other than Schumer in the role.

“The time is now for change,” Sanders stated. “And I will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader.”

Progressive senators and incoming members push for alternatives after election gains

Slotkin made clear she is not running for the position. She wants any candidate for majority leader to first lay out a complete set of priorities for the incoming Democratic majority. “I’m a no until and unless I see that from anyone,” she said.

Democrats expanded their map well beyond the races that started as competitive, flipping seats in Texas, Kansas, and South Carolina. Those victories produced a larger majority than many had expected at the start of the cycle.

Schumer had recruited several high-profile contenders who won, among them Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Roy Cooper in North Carolina. In Michigan and Maine, however, the candidates he backed lost their primaries. Progressive nominees advanced and then captured the seats in November.

Progressive Democrats have been flooding congressional offices with calls demanding a leadership change. Michigan’s incoming senator Abdul El-Sayed and others have publicly promoted Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen as a possible alternative.

Van Hollen has already said he is weighing a 2028 presidential bid. He is now also looking at a run for Senate leader, though the amount of support he has remains unclear. “I am in the process right now of calling my colleagues,” he said Tuesday at an event in Washington. Other newly elected senators have also urged colleagues not to commit to Schumer as leader.

At 75, Schumer has given little indication he plans to step aside after guiding the party to its majority. New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, defended him strongly, saying “this caucus is grateful for the work of Senator Schumer.” Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez has teased challenging Schumer herself.

Schumer told reporters at the Capitol, “I’m confident I will be elected.” In an AP interview after the results came in, he said his attention is on the work ahead. “The focus has got to be on getting things done,” he told AP.

While Senate Republicans spent Tuesday in closed-door meetings to select their leaders, Senate Democrats have only started those talks. Their leadership elections are expected later this month.