Progressives rally behind Van Hollen’s bid to oust Schumer as Senate Leader

Progressive Democrats are rallying behind Senator Chris Van Hollen’s bid to replace Chuck Schumer as Senate majority leader after Democrats won last week’s midterms.

Progressive Democrats and left-wing pundits are rallying behind Senator Chris Van Hollen’s (D-MD) bid to replace Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as Senate majority leader, Mediaite reports.

Van Hollen announced the bid on Thursday, after Democrats won back the Senate in last week’s midterms.

“Yes, I am planning to run for the Senate majority leader, and let me tell you why – because this is not about any one individual, but it is about answering the call of the American people,” he told MS NOW’s Jen Psaki.

Van Hollen pledged to use the Senate’s “full power” to advance Democratic priorities, including cutting off funding for Trump’s war in Iran. He said “more than 10” Democrats had already committed to supporting him.

Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed (D-MI) said he was “proud to stand with” Van Hollen, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) endorsed him, and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) urged all Democratic senators to back him.

Schumer insists he has enough backing to stay on and has support from several top senators. Democrats will decide by secret ballot in early December.