Bernie Sanders won't support Schumer for Senate Democratic leader,
saying it's time for change
[November 11, 2026]
By LISA MASCARO and JOEY CAPPELLETTI
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.
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. A number of incoming Democratic senators have
echoed the call, signaling that they would support another candidate
over Schumer.
“The time is now for change,” said Sanders, the independent from Vermont
and essentially the father of modern progressivism in the U.S. “And I
will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader.”
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.
The showdown has been building as Democrats marched across the Senate
map to flip Republican-held seats far beyond those that were initially
competitive, including in Texas, Kansas and South Carolina.
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. But his preferred candidates also lost
primaries in Michigan and Maine, with the progressive candidates
prevailing and then going on to win their general elections.
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Progressives push for Maryland's Chris Van Hollen
Democrats, particularly in the party’s progressive wing, have been
bombarding congressional offices with phone calls saying it’s time
for new leadership. Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed and other
progressives have pushed for Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland as a
potential contender.
Van Hollen, who has previously said he is considering a run for
president in 2028, is now also considering a run for Senate leader.
It is not clear how much backing he would have.
“I am in the process right now of calling my colleagues,” Van Hollen
said at a Washington event Tuesday.
Schumer, 75, has shown few signs of stepping aside, especially after
he just led his party to power. New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand,
chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, gave a full
throated defense of Schumer on Tuesday, saying “this caucus is
grateful for the work of Senator Schumer.”
“I’m confident I will be elected,” Schumer said at the Capitol.
Pressed about his own future in an interview with AP shortly after
the party's election wins, Schumer said he was focused on the year
ahead.
“The focus has got to be on getting things done,” he told AP.
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.
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Associated Press writer Steven Sloan contributed to this report.
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