• Analysis
Bernie Sanders Won't Back Chuck Schumer, Urges 'Vigorous Debate' Over Senate Democratic Leader
Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer are at odds over the Senate Democratic leader's future: Sanders said on Tuesday he will not support Schumer's bid to stay on, urging a process with vigorous debate. The Vermont independent says the time is now for change.
Bernie Sanders said on Tuesday that he will not support Chuck Schumer's effort to stay on as Senate Democratic leader, and he called on his party to settle the question through a contested process with vigorous debate rather than a routine confirmation of the incumbent.
Sanders: 'The time is now for change'
Sanders, the 85-year-old independent senator from Vermont who caucuses with the Democrats, said he has known Schumer for more than 30 years and considers him the hardest worker in the caucus. He framed his refusal to back him as a response to the midterm elections, which he read as a mandate for new leadership across the Democratic party.
Nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer. But in my view, the time is now for change
He argued the campaign had been about change and about a new, bold direction for the Democratic party, and that the results showed voters want new leaders at the top.
A contested process, not a coronation
Sanders wants Democrats to elect a new leader through a process he says should include vigorous debate, rather than an uncontested vote.
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland made a similar argument at a post-election conference in Washington on Tuesday, convened by the progressive organization Groundwork Collaborative. He said voters' desire for change was clear after the midterm elections and questioned whether the Senate Democratic caucus had absorbed that message.
The Senate Democratic caucus needs a little bit of democracy itself in this moment
Van Hollen stopped short of demanding Schumer's removal, saying the leadership election should not be a coronation.
Possible challengers hold back
No Democrat has so far volunteered to challenge Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since 2017. Several names are nonetheless circulating:
- •Van Hollen, mentioned as a potential successor, said he was calling colleagues to gauge their support for leadership change.
- •Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan urged anyone interested in leading the caucus to come forward with a plan, while noting she was not actively seeking the Senate majority leadership position.
- •Slotkin said the American people clearly voted for change on election night.
Schumer: confident of re-election
Schumer said last week that he will be re-elected as majority leader, and he reiterated that position on Tuesday.
I'm confident I will be elected majority leader
He added that the caucus is united on lowering costs, on ending corruption and on ending the war, and said he is proud to lead it. No Democrat has so far volunteered to take him on for the post he has held since 2017.
