Home · Politics · Nov 11 archive

Bernie Sanders says he won't back Schumer as push for new leadership gains steam

Updated 9:18 PM ET · 5:09 PM ETConfirmedShare via:          

Politics Desk

In Short: Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced Tuesday that he would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for another term as Senate majority leader, setting up a potential leadership change within the Democratic caucus.

Bernie Sanders 104th Congress.

Bernie Sanders says he won’t back Sen. Schumer for Democratic leader. CNN

"The time is now for change," Sanders said at a news conference, adding that he has known Schumer for over 30 years and respects his work ethic.

"I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. 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.

"The focus has got to be on getting things done," Slotkin told AP.

"This election was about change," said Sen. Bernie Sanders, emphasizing the need for a new direction in the party.

"The time is now for change," said Sanders, the independent from Vermont and essentially the father of modern progressivism in the U.S.

"I’m confident I will be elected," Schumer said, though he acknowledged that the caucus had just begun leadership conversations.

"I’ll be reelected as majority leader," Schumer said, as Democratic senators weigh whether to keep him as Senate Democratic leader.

What this adds

What's confirmed

• Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., says he will not support Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to serve as Senate majority leader once Democrats take control over the chamber next year.
• "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.
• Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press 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.
• "The time is now for change," said Sanders, the independent from Vermont and essentially the father of modern progressivism in the U.S.
• “This election was about change," said Sen. Bernie Sanders.
• US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday (Nov 10) said he was confident he would be elected Senate majority leader following the midterm elections, after Senator Bernie Sanders said he would not support Schumer for the leadership role.
• Sanders was joined by Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan at a news conference at the Capitol, and together they said there needs to be a new generation of leadership and a vigorous debate about the party’s direction and future.
• “I'm a no until and unless I see that from anyone,” she said.
• “The focus has got to be on getting things done,” he told AP.
• PBS reported that Schumer, 75, said, "I’m confident I will be elected," and it said the Democrats in the Senate had just begun leadership conversations ahead of elections expected later this month.

What's still developing

• "And that nobody should get a blank check without a full understanding from the caucus as to where we’re going to go." And Van Hollen, who has previously said his focus was more on "kicking the tires" on a run for higher office in 2028, is reportedly mulling a bid for Schumer’s job.
• Bernie Sanders slammed the Democratic Party establishment and "liberal elites" while speaking on the podcast.
• Chris Van Hollen is being courted by progressives to challenge Schumer and says he's still "actively listening"; as Politico reports, no senator has yet thrown their hat into the ring.
• Schumer, who has led the caucus since 2017, helped deliver an overwhelming victory for the Democrats in the midterm elections.
• Left-wing socialist Bernie Sanders and MAGA strategist Steve Bannon took to the same stage on Tuesday to rail against the AI industry and its leadership, in a sign of how spiraling worries over the rapidly advancing technology are upending political alliances.
• This should not come as a shock when Sanders admitted that the team has cut down by “80 percent” the number of players showing up late for breakfast and meetings and missing weigh-ins.
• OAN Staff Addie Davis 2:28 PM – Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Some Democrat lawmakers stated they would not support Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as the majority leader in the chamber.
• The progressive wing of the party has been calling for Schumer to step aside, while some new Democratic senators haven’t committed to support him.
• Speaking to nearly 300 people packed into a Washington, D.C., ballroom, Sanders raised concerns about AI surpassing human intelligence and escaping human control.
• Chuck Schumer is facing mounting pressure from both progressive and centrist figures within the Democratic Party over his leadership amid debate over who should lead the caucus into the next election cycle.
• Schumer recruited high-profile candidates that helped secure the majority, including Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Sen.-elect Roy Cooper in North Carolina.

Sources

• Aollink
• Commondreamslink
• Fox Newslink
• MS NOWlink
• NBC Newslink
• NewsCordlink
• Newserlink
• PBSlink
• Responsible Statecraftlink
• TAG24 NEWS USA INClink
• Asiaonelink
• Newsweeklink
• Thestarlink
• Finchannellink
• Oannlink
• CNN — video link
• Associated Press — video link
• CBS News — video link
• MS NOW — video link
• Reuters — video link
• Associated Press — video link