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Sanders Rejects Schumer for Senate Majority Leader
Confirmed
In Short: Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer for the role of Senate majority leader, setting up a potential leadership battle within the Democratic caucus.
Portrait of Bernie Sanders in c. 1986 (cropped).
Sanders and Slotkin say they will not support Schumer for Senate majority leader. NBC News
Sen. Bernie Sanders announced Tuesday that he would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer for the role of Senate majority leader in the upcoming Congress, a move that could reshape the Democratic caucus's leadership structure. Sanders, an independent from Vermont, made the announcement at a news conference alongside Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan.
Sanders cited the need for change within the caucus, stating, 'The time is now for change,' and emphasizing the need to focus on getting things done. He added, 'The focus has got to be on getting things done,' indicating a shift in priorities for the new majority.
Slotkin, who is not actively seeking the leadership role herself, echoed Sanders's sentiment, saying she wants to see potential leaders present a full plan about their priorities for the new majority. She stated, 'I'm a no until and unless I see that from anyone,' underscoring the importance of a clear vision for the future.
The announcement comes after Democrats secured majorities in both chambers of Congress in the recent midterm elections. Following these elections, the majorities in both chambers of Congress flipped blue, leaving the Democrats to elect majority leaders for the 120th United States Congress, according to Oann.
Several incoming Democratic senators have echoed Sanders's call for change, signaling that they would support another candidate over Schumer. This sentiment is reflected in polling by YouGov for Indivisible, which found that only 10 percent of voters say that Democrats should choose Schumer to be majority leader, while 57 percent said they should choose someone else.
Schumer, who has led the caucus since 2017, helped deliver an overwhelming victory for the Democrats in the midterm elections. He has recruited high-profile candidates that helped secure the majority, including Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Sen.-elect Roy Cooper in North Carolina.
Despite the challenges, Schumer remains confident about his future in the leadership role. He told AP, 'I’m confident I will be elected,' and added, 'Pressed about my own future in an interview with AP shortly after the party’s election wins, Schumer said he was focused on the year ahead.'
Van Hollen, who has previously said he is considering a run for president in 2028, is now also considering a run for Senate leader. Slotkin said she had a 'productive conversation' with Van Hollen about his potential candidacy, though neither Sanders nor Slotkin specified who they would support in the race for majority leader.
What's confirmed
- WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday he would not be supporting Sen. Chuck Schumer as the Democratic majority leader in the new Congress, setting up a seismic confrontation after the party’s sweep to power in the midterm elections.
- Van Hollen, who has previously said he is considering a run for president in 2028, is now also considering a run for Senate leader.
- “The time is now for change,” said Sanders, the independent from Vermont and essentially the father of modern progressivism in the U.S.
- While Republicans have been meeting behind closed doors Tuesday to choose their party leaders for the next Congress, the Democrats in the Senate have just begun those conversations ahead of elections expected later this month.
- “The focus has got to be on getting things done,” he told AP.
- Sanders was joined Tuesday by Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan at a news conference at the Capitol.
- A number of incoming Democratic senators have echoed the call, signaling that they would support another candidate over Schumer.
- Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks at the Center for American Progress (CAP) post election forum, Thursday, Nov.
- “I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. [There’s] nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer. But in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be re-elected as the Democratic leader,” Sanders said at a news conference.
- Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks at a campaign rally in support of Minnesota Lt.
- Slotkin, who said she is not actively seeking the job herself, explained that she wants to see potential Senate leaders present a full plan about the priorities for the new majority.
- "I'm a no until and unless I see that from anyone," she said.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.
Sources
- AOL.comlink
- Black Hills Pioneerlink
- Cleburne Times-Reviewlink
- Common Dreamslink
- NBC Newslink
- Ottumwa Courierlink
- PBSlink
- Political Wirelink
- Responsible Statecraftlink
- The Killeen Daily Heraldlink
- The Seattle Timeslink
- Toronto Starlink
- Truthoutlink
- Oannlink
- NBC News — video link
- Associated Press — video link
- CBS News — video link
- MS NOW — video link
- MassLive — video link
- C-SPAN — video link