Bernie Sanders opposes Schumer as Senate Democratic leader

Summarised from 4 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 11 Nov, 15:58 · Archive

Bernie Sanders said on Tuesday he will not support Chuck Schumer to remain Senate Democratic leader, joining a growing push for new leadership.

Bernie Sanders announced on Tuesday that he will not support Chuck Schumer's re-election as Senate Democratic leader when Democrats take control of the Senate in the new Congress. Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, said at a news conference on Capitol Hill that despite knowing Schumer for over 30 years and respecting his work ethic, 'the time is now for change'.

Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin joined Sanders at the news conference and also said she would not support Schumer. Slotkin said she wants to see potential Senate leaders present a full plan about the new majority's priorities before deciding her position. 'I am not actively seeking this job. I am seeking change,' Slotkin said.

The push for new leadership has been building as Democrats swept the midterm elections, flipping multiple Republican-held seats. However, some of Schumer's preferred candidates lost their primaries in Michigan and Maine, with progressive candidates prevailing and then winning their general elections. Sanders and Slotkin join a number of incoming Democratic senators in opposing Schumer's re-election.

Some Democrats, particularly those in the party's progressive wing, have been calling for Maryland senator Chris Van Hollen as a potential successor. Van Hollen said at a post-election conference that the election 'should not be coronation' and that 'the Senate Democratic caucus needs a little bit of democracy itself in this moment'.

Schumer has said he expects no challenge to his bid for another term as leader and that the Senate Democratic caucus is 'focused on moving forward'. He argued that the party is 'very happy with what we all did' but cautioned that results must follow. Connecticut senator Richard Blumenthal said he expected Schumer would be re-elected, saying no one else had come forward willing to take the position, but acknowledged that 'we need a conversation about leadership going forward'.

How it is being reported

• Bernie Sanders says he won't back Schumer as push for new leadership gains steamBernie Sanders and Elissa Slotkin say they will not support Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader, calling for a new generation of leadership.Fox News · 11 Nov, 15:41
• Bernie Sanders won’t support Schumer for Senate Democratic leader, saying it’s time for changeA number of incoming Democratic senators have echoed the call.New York Post · 11 Nov, 09:47
• Bernie Sanders says he will not back Schumer for Senate Democratic leaderProgressive senator says ‘I like Chuck … but the time is now for change’ as calls grow for new Democratic leadership Bernie Sanders, a progressive senator from Vermont, said on Tuesday he would not support Chuck Schumer ’s bid to serve as the Democratic leader in the US Senate, joining a growing cohort of Democrats calling for a change in leadership. “I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. Nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer. 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,”…Guardian World · 10 Nov, 22:16
• Sanders says he won't support Schumer for majority leader in next CongressSen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that he would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer's push to be the next Senate majority leader. CBS News' Taurean Small has more.CBS News · 10 Nov, 21:12
• Sanders won't back Schumer as Democratic leader in new CongressSen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday he won't support Sen. Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader in the new Congress, becoming the most prominent progressive to oppose his candidacy to date.CBS News · 10 Nov, 20:39
• Schumer's grip on power slips as Dems begin to revolt against him, eye new leadershipChuck Schumer says he expects no challenge for Senate Democratic leader, but newcomers and Chris Van Hollen are reportedly mulling alternatives.Fox News · 9 Nov, 19:08

In this story: Bernie Sanders · Chuck Schumer · Elissa Slotkin · Chris Van Hollen · Vermont · Michigan · Maryland · United States Senate

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