Sanders Says He Will Not Back Schumer for Senate Majority Leader

Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday he will not support Sen. Chuck Schumer’s bid to lead Senate Democrats next year, widening the split inside the party weeks after Democrats won back the Senate majority.

Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, told reporters that Schumer would face a challenge. "He’s not going to run unopposed, I don’t think," Sanders said. No senator has formally entered the race against Schumer, who has led the caucus since 2017.

Slotkin and Van Hollen withhold support

Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan also cast doubt on her support. "Whoever wants my vote is going to have to show me a concrete plan that’s definitively different. I’m a no until and unless I see that from anyone," she said, adding that she is not pursuing the job herself.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland demurred Tuesday when asked whether he would challenge Schumer. "There needs to be a plan on how we’re going to use this large majority to deliver for the country," Van Hollen told reporters. "Voters are expecting us to address the issues that they care about, including right away ending the war in Iran and helping bring down prices."

The doubts are not new: at a post-election gathering in Washington on Saturday, Van Hollen and Slotkin both declined to back Schumer, and Slotkin said she would not rule out running herself. Several incoming senators have also refused to commit, including Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Troy Jackson of Maine and Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan. Schumer needs only a majority of Senate Democrats in a secret-ballot vote in December. Democrats are set to hold at least 54 seats when the new Congress convenes in January.

Schumer, asked Tuesday whether he is confident he will be elected majority leader, said "yes." Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona said he plans to support Schumer while urging the caucus to do things differently.

Reporting based on coverage by Bloomberg Government and CNN.