Maryland Sen. Van Hollen in "listening mode" on possible Schumer challenge for majority leader
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland says he is in "listening mode" amid a push from fellow Democrats to challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader.
Van Hollen has gone from reportedly not being interested in the position to saying he hasn't shut the door on a possible challenge.
"What I've said from the very beginning is, we shouldn't have a coronation," Van Hollen said Monday. "I'm in listening mode and haven't shut the door."
Schumer served as Senate majority leader from 2021 to 2025, before Republicans took control of the chamber. He currently serves as minority leader.
Democrats regained control of both the Senate and the U.S. House following the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The party's new majority will take effect when the next Congress begins in January 2027.
Van Hollen said the Senate Democratic caucus should have a full discussion before deciding who will lead the party.
"We just had a big election. People spoke from all over the country, and Democratic senators need to make sure we have a plan to use our majority wisely on behalf of the American people," Van Hollen said.
When asked if he would consider a run against Schumer, Van Hollen reiterated that he is listening to fellow Democrats.
"There are clearly lots of people around the country, and a number of our members, quite a few of our members, who want to have this discussion, and so I'm in active listening mode," he said.
Van Hollen has represented Maryland in the U.S. Senate since 2017. Before that, he represented Maryland's 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House for 14 years.
He also has experience in Democratic Party leadership, having chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democrats to the Senate.
Van Hollen has been a prominent voice on foreign policy, immigration and government spending.
He made national headlines earlier this year during the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongly deported to El Salvador. Van Hollen traveled to the country to meet with Abrego Garcia and advocate for his return to the United States.