Senator Bernie Sanders has said he will not support Chuck Schumer’s bid to remain the top Democrat in the Senate, becoming the most prominent progressive to oppose the New York senator’s leadership after the party’s midterm sweep.
“The time is now for change”
Sanders made the announcement at a Capitol news conference on Tuesday alongside Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, who also declined to back Schumer. “I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. Nobody works harder than Chuck Schumer,” Sanders told reporters. “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, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, argued that last week’s midterm elections were “about change” and called for “a vigorous debate about the direction of the Democratic Party”. He also suggested Schumer would not run unopposed: “He’s not going to run unopposed, I don’t think.”
The pressure builds
Slotkin said whoever wants her vote must show “a concrete plan that’s definitively different”, adding: “I’m a no until and unless I see that from anyone.” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also declined to back Schumer, according to Tuesday’s coverage, while Senator Chris Van Hollen demurred when asked if he would challenge Schumer for the post.
A tracker of public positions as of November 10 counted four Senate Democrats saying they would not back Schumer, five wanting new leadership, 14 who had not committed and eight saying they will back him, with 24 yet to take a public stance.
Schumer stands his ground
Schumer, when asked if he is confident he will be elected Senate Majority Leader, said “yes” on Tuesday. Senate Democrats are expected to hold their leadership elections in December, with some reports putting the vote on November 18-19. No one has launched a formal challenge to Schumer, but Sanders’s intervention raises fresh questions about the outlook for his leadership bid. Democrats will hold at least 54 Senate seats when the 120th Congress convenes in January.
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