WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland announced Thursday that he will challenge Chuck Schumer for the job of Senate Democratic leader, setting up the party's first real leadership fight in nearly two decades just days after Democrats expanded their Senate minority in the midterms.

Van Hollen framed his bid as a direct response to voters, arguing Democrats need a more populist direction and new leadership heading into 2028. He took aim at Schumer's hand in Democratic primaries, noting the longtime leader backed candidates in Maine and Michigan who ultimately lost their primaries, and said he would stay out of primary fights entirely if elected leader. He also called on the caucus to reject campaign money from AIPAC, according to CNN's report on the announcement.

The vote count

Van Hollen said more than ten Senate Democrats have already pledged their support, though he acknowledged Schumer remains the favorite heading into the secret-ballot contest, scheduled for December. Schumer, in turn, said he welcomes "discussion about the future of our caucus" while insisting he has the votes to keep his post, per Roll Call's account of his response.

"I HAVE THE VOTES TO CONTINUE SERVING AS DEMOCRATIC LEADER."

Schumer has led Senate Democrats since 2017 and became majority leader after the 2020 cycle, but has faced mounting criticism from the party's left flank over his handling of government-funding fights and his rapport with the Trump White House. Van Hollen's challenge is the most serious threat to his leadership yet.

A party divided

Beyond personality, analysts say the race exposes a real rift inside the caucus over Israel policy — Van Hollen has been one of the Senate's more vocal critics of U.S. military aid to Israel, while Schumer has generally defended the relationship. A contested leadership vote, rare in the modern Senate, would force every Democrat to publicly choose sides at a moment the party is still processing a historic midterm map.

Democrats flipped several Senate seats in last week's midterms, including in Mississippi, pushing their total toward the mid-50s and fueling Van Hollen's argument that the party's gains came from economic populism rather than institutional caution. Whether that argument persuades enough colleagues by December is the question the whole caucus is now watching.

What's next

The Senate Democratic Caucus is expected to hold its leadership vote in December, after the chamber returns from Thanksgiving recess. Both camps are expected to spend the coming weeks lobbying undecided members, with aides on both sides predicting the final tally will be closer than past uncontested leadership races.