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Congress Watch · Report · File No. 261110-882

Sanders and Slotkin say they won't back Schumer as Senate Democratic leader

Sen. Bernie Sanders, the most prominent progressive to oppose Chuck Schumer so far, and Sen. Elissa Slotkin said they won't support him as leader. Democrats are set to hold at least 54 Senate seats in January, and leadership elections are expected in December.

By the Capitol Desk · · 2 min read

Every quote in this story (2) was matched word for word against its source. How we work

My clippings
Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders. Photo: Anderseidesvik, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said Tuesday that he won't support Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York as Democratic leader when his party takes control of the Senate. CBS News reports that he is the most prominent progressive to oppose Schumer's candidacy so far 1.

Sanders spoke at a press conference at the Capitol. He said last week's midterm elections were "about change." Democrats will control at least 54 seats when the 120th Congress convenes in January 1.

On tapeC-SPAN · Nov 10
Sanders says at a news conference he will not support Schumer for majority leader.Video: C-SPAN on YouTube, “Sanders says he will not support Schumer for majority leader”. It plays from YouTube when you press play.
Bernie Sanders
But in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader.
Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator, I-Vt.1

Sanders is an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. He said he has known Schumer for more than 30 years and likes him. He also called for "a vigorous debate about the direction of the Democratic Party" 1.

Slotkin wants a plan

Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan stood beside Sanders. She said she is "not actively seeking this job" but is "seeking change" 1.

From Channel GOPChuck Schumer on the new Democratic majorityChuck Schumer · 453 plays · captioned, with the source named

Slotkin said anyone who wants to lead the caucus should explain what they would do in the first 100 days "to put money in people's pockets." She said they should also explain how they would communicate differently 1.

Elissa Slotkin
I'm a no until and unless I see that from anyone.
Elissa Slotkin, U.S. senator, D-Mich.1

No challenger yet

No one has formally emerged to challenge Schumer. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has come the closest. He first said he would not pursue the job, but this week he said he is exploring a run 1.

On tapePBS NewsHour · Nov 10
Sanders and Slotkin hold a briefing on the push to change Democratic Senate leadership.Video: PBS NewsHour on YouTube, “WATCH: Sanders, Slotkin hold briefing on push to change Democratic Senate leadership”. It plays from YouTube when you press play.

On Monday, Van Hollen said, "we shouldn't have a coronation." On Tuesday he said he is "in the process right now of calling my colleagues," because the leader is chosen by a vote of the Democratic caucus 1.

Bloomberg Government reports that Schumer said "yes" when asked whether he is confident he will be elected. It also reports that Senate Democrats will hold their leadership elections in December 2.

What happens next

Democrats are expected to hold their leadership elections in early December 1. The vote is secret and limited to the party's senators. Each senator's vote counts the same, so public statements like these show which way support may be moving.

That matters because the next leader will set the Senate's agenda for the first two years of a Democratic majority. Sanders and Slotkin come from different wings of the party. Both are now saying the party needs a different approach, and neither is naming a replacement. Slotkin said she is not looking for the job herself 1.

The Record

  1. Midterm elections give Democrats at least 54 Senate seats for the 120th Congress 1.
  2. Van Hollen says "we shouldn't have a coronation" and that he is in listening mode 1.
  3. Sanders and Slotkin say at the Capitol that they won't back Schumer as leader; Van Hollen says he is calling colleagues 12.
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Sources

  1. CBS News, “Sanders won't back Schumer as Democratic leader in new Congress” (2026-11-10). cbsnews.com/news/bernie-sanders-chuck-schumer-democratic-lea
  2. Bloomberg Government, “Sanders Won't Back Schumer for Senate Majority Leader Job” (2026-11-10). news.bgov.com/bloomberg-government-news/sanders-says-he-wont

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