Chris Van Hollen challenges Chuck Schumer for Senate Democratic leadership

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen announced on November 12 that he will challenge Chuck Schumer to lead Senate Democrats in the next Congress.

The contest puts the caucus’s leadership before a closed-ballot election scheduled for December 1, CNN reported. Schumer, the current Democratic leader, needs majority support from the caucus to win, according to the report.

Van Hollen argued that the election called for a change in leadership, CNN reported, citing his remarks on MS NOW. Schumer welcomed a discussion about the caucus’s future and said he had the votes to continue as leader, the outlet reported.

Sen. Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat, said he would vote for Schumer in the caucus election, Fox News reported. “I endorse Senator Schumer for leader,” Schatz said in the statement reported by Fox.

Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, also backed Schumer, CNN reported. King praised Schumer’s experience and command of Senate procedure in a statement cited by the outlet.

Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan backed Van Hollen, according to CNN. The December vote will determine who leads the caucus in the next Congress.