Several incoming Democratic senators say they won’t back Schumer as leader. Pressure is also building on Hakeem Jeffries.
Calls for new Democratic leadership are growing after the party won control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Several incoming senators say they will not back Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Online petitions are also urging Democrats to replace House leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Senators-elect Troy Jackson of Maine, Adam Hamilton of Kansas and Juliana Stratton of Illinois have said they will not support Schumer. Minnesota’s Peggy Flanagan and New Hampshire’s Chris Pappas have called for new leadership without naming a replacement. Texas Senator-elect James Talarico has not committed to backing Schumer. Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has said he would support Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland as leader. Van Hollen was the first sitting senator to call for an open process. Al-Monitor reported Democrats hold 54 Senate seats, with two races uncalled.
Schumer has said he expects to be re-elected majority leader and that the issue is not him. Jeffries has led House Democrats since 2023 and is expected to seek the speakership. The progressive group Indivisible has urged supporters to demand a contested Senate leadership election. An NBC poll cited by Truthout put Jeffries’ approval at 18 percent and Schumer’s at 13 percent. A petition against Jeffries had passed 830,000 signatures, according to Democracy Now. The Senate leadership vote is expected next month.
This report draws on Al Jazeera, Al-Monitor, Democracy Now, Truthout and CBS News.