Both Sides: Should Senate Democrats replace Schumer as leader?
Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday he won't back Chuck Schumer to lead the new Democratic Senate majority, and Sen. Elissa Slotkin said she is a "no" until someone shows a concrete plan. Schumer says he is confident he will win, and allies credit him with flipping the Senate. Democrats vote on leaders in December.
AI-assisted · US Brief desk · Sources listed below
What happened
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said Tuesday he will not support Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York for another term as Democratic leader. "I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck," Sanders said. "But in my view, the time is now for change." Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan stood beside him and said, "I'm a no until and unless I see" a concrete plan from any candidate. Neither is running for the job.
Why it matters
Democrats will hold at least 54 Senate seats when the new Congress meets in January, CBS News reported, and the majority leader controls what reaches the floor. Schumer needs a majority of the caucus to keep the post, NBC News reported. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, whom progressive groups are urging to run, said he is "actively calling my colleagues" but has not entered the race, CBS reported.
More context
How outlets framed it: Fox News called it a "rebellion" and said "Schumer's grip on power slips." AP called it a "seismic confrontation." CBS News said Sanders became "the most prominent progressive" to oppose Schumer. MS NOW said Schumer "remains the favorite" given his long ties in the caucus. Roll Call described a growing "rift."
The case for a new leader: Sanders said the midterms were "about change" and that voters want "an economy that works for all, not just the people on top." Asked if Schumer has led that way, he said, "No." Slotkin wants a plan for the first 100 days and a new way to "communicate," and urged colleagues to deny a quorum at the leadership vote until they get one, Roll Call reported. Van Hollen said Democrats "shouldn't have a coronation" and faulted Schumer and the party's Senate campaign arm for siding "with the crypto industry and AIPAC" in some primaries.
The case for Schumer: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, credited Schumer with recruiting candidates such as Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Roy Cooper of North Carolina. "That takes vision," she said. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona said, "we can do that with Chuck Schumer," and Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona said "it's time for us to unify." Schumer said, "I'm confident I will be elected majority leader."
Weak spot: Sanders says voters demanded new leadership. But the gains came under Schumer: Democrats netted at least seven seats, NBC reported, and Sanders himself credited Schumer and Gillibrand for raising "a whole lot of money," MS NOW reported.
Weak spot: Schumer's allies point to the wins. But several of the newly elected Democrats whose races produced them, including Sens.-elect Adam Hamilton and Troy Jackson, have said they won't back him, Fox News reported.
What would change the story: A declared challenger. Van Hollen said he is "in listening mode and haven't shut the door." Final results in Alaska and Mississippi could add two more Democratic seats, NBC reported. Democrats expect to hold their leadership elections in early December, CBS reported.
Sources across the spectrum This story cites right-leaning and left-leaning outlets. Every source is listed below.
6 listed sources
- AP (neutral), Bernie Sanders won't support Schumer for Senate Democratic leader, saying it's time for change, Nov. 10, 2026
- Roll Call (neutral; Savannah Behrmann), Rift grows among Senate Democrats over who will lead in majority, Nov. 10, 2026
- Fox News (right-leaning; Alex Miller), Schumer's grip on power slips as Dems begin to revolt against him, eye new leadership, Nov. 9, 2026
- NBC News (left-leaning), Bernie Sanders says he won't support Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader, Nov. 10, 2026
- CBS News (left-leaning; Stefan Becket, Kaia Hubbard), Bernie Sanders says he won't support Schumer as Democratic leader in new Congress, Nov. 10, 2026
- MS NOW (left-leaning), Sanders, Slotkin won't back Schumer for Senate Democratic leader, Nov. 10, 2026
References listed by US Brief; a source count is not a verification score.
Editorial sourcing notes
Senate Democrats choose their leader in a closed caucus vote expected in early December. No senator has formally entered the race against Schumer. The count of Democratic seats may still change: races in Alaska and Mississippi were still being counted, NBC News reported.
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