Several incoming Democratic senators say they will not back Schumer for leader
Chuck Schumer told reporters in Washington that "I'll be re-elected as majority leader" of the U.S. Senate after the 2026 midterm elections, even as at least seven incoming Democratic senators have publicly suggested or said outright that they will not commit to supporting him, according to Al Jazeera.
Democrats captured at least seven Republican Senate seats in the midterms, Reuters reported. As of November 4, NPR reported, Schumer was poised to become majority leader, the Senate's top position for the party in control, in January. Schumer has led the Senate Democratic caucus since 2016, and on November 3 he celebrated the party's victories in key Senate races.
Several of the incoming senators have spoken directly about the leadership question. Illinois Senator-elect Juliana Stratton said through a spokesperson that she will not support Schumer for Senate leader. Kansas Senator-elect Adam Hamilton told CNN in September that "I'm not supporting Schumer."
Others have been more measured. Maine Senator-elect Troy Jackson said he told Schumer he will "support somebody else" for the post, and he questioned Schumer's ability to connect with working-class voters. Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed said he will support Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland for leader. Texas Senator-elect James Talarico called for "new blood" in Washington and said he wanted to hear Schumer's vision for the Senate before deciding whether to back him.
Minnesota Senator-elect Peggy Flanagan told reporters that "It is time for new leadership." New Hampshire Senator-elect Chris Pappas said voters want a new generation of leadership in the Senate.
Support for Schumer has also been voiced. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island said Schumer's delivery of a Democratic Senate justifies another term as leader, Politico reported. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said in an interview that conversations about Schumer's leadership had changed since March.
Pressure has also come from outside Congress. The progressive group Indivisible has demanded that Senate Democrats replace Schumer with new leadership after the recent election wins, The Hill reported.
Schumer's record has drawn criticism from within his party. He backed Haley Stevens over El-Sayed in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary. During last year's government shutdown, he supported a Republican bill to reopen federal agencies without getting anything in return. California Governor Gavin Newsom called that backing a "capitulation" that abandoned Democratic priorities such as healthcare subsidies.
Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts senator, had been eyeing a post-election leadership move as of October 29, Politico reported, when Schumer was also seeking to remain the party's leader.
Schumer has said Democrats would use Senate control next year to try to end the Iran war, Politico reported. Democrats have also vowed to use their midterm victory to rein in President Donald Trump.
