Nine incoming Senate Democrats say Schumer should step aside

Nine incoming Democratic senators have indicated they will not support Chuck Schumer for the next majority leader post, signaling a push for new leadership as the party prepares for a new Congress.

The newest members of the caucus are driving the demand for change. Annie Andrews, the senator-elect from South Carolina, told Fox News reporter Bret Baier on Thursday that the party requires new leadership. When asked if she would back Schumer for the top post, she said, “I still very much believe it’s time for generational change on both sides of the aisle.”

Adam Hamilton, the senator-elect from Kansas, joined the group in a CNN interview. Hamilton made history as the first Democrat to win a Kansas Senate seat in 94 years. He stated he would not support Schumer as the party’s leader, aligning his candidacy with a push for fresh voices in Washington. Abdul El-Sayed, the senator-elect from Michigan, also declined to endorse Schumer on Thursday. He told CNN he wanted to keep the door open for other options, reflecting a hesitation to automatically support the incumbent.

The list of incoming Democrats signaling reluctance to back Schumer includes James Talarico from Texas, Juliana Stratton from Illinois, Chris Pappas from New Hampshire, Peggy Flanagan from Minnesota, and Troy Jackson from Maine. These lawmakers represent a shift in the caucus as progressive Democrats have achieved victories in local and state elections over the past two years.

Schumer, 75, has served as the Senate Democratic leader since 2017. He told reporters on Wednesday, “I’ll be re-elected as majority leader.” As of Friday afternoon, he is running uncontested because no other Senate Democrat has officially entered the race. Despite the opposition from incoming members, he retains enough votes within his caucus to secure the position.

Schumer has encouraged colleagues to focus on unity rather than internal division. He told reporters, “The issue is not me … the issue is focusing on the American people and what they want.”

Democrats enter the new Congress with a comfortable majority in both the House and the Senate. They hold the power to push back against the Donald Trump administration and pass legislation promised to voters during recent campaigns.