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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., says he will not support Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to serve as Senate majority leader once Democrats take control over the chamber next year.
Sanders was complimentary of Schumer, but said at a news conference on Tuesday that he believes “the time is now” for change in Democratic leadership.
“I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. [There’s] 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,” Sanders said at a news conference.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders slammed the Democratic Party establishment and “liberal elites” while speaking on the podcast. (FLAGRANT YouTube channel)
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., joined Sanders at the Tuesday news conference and said she also will not be supporting Schumer. Neither have backed a specific candidate to replace Schumer, however.
“I am not actively seeking this job. I am seeking change,” Slotkin said. “I’ve been very consistent for a very long time that we need a new generation of leadership…. It’s important to demonstrate that we’ve heard what people want from this last election.”
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Sanders and Slotkin join many Senate newcomers in opposing Schumer’s re-election, including the likes of Senators-elect Adam Hamilton and Troy Jackson.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a press conference at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee headquarters on Nov. 4, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Tom Brenner/Getty Images)
A number of the more left-wing Democrats favor Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., for the new leader.
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“I’ve said very clearly that we need to have a discussion in the Democratic caucus,” Van Hollen said during an appearance at Crooked Con over the weekend.
“We need to understand what the Democrats are going to do with this new responsibility and these new powers,” he continued. “And that nobody should get a blank check without a full understanding from the caucus as to where we’re going to go.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., speaks as he campaigns for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, D-Mich., during a campaign rally in Ferndale, Michigan, U.S., July 25, 2026. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters)
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And Van Hollen, who has previously said his focus was more on “kicking the tires” on a run for higher office in 2028, is reportedly mulling a bid for Schumer’s job, according to Politico.
Fox News’ Alex Miller contributed to this report.