By — Lisa Desjardins Lisa Desjardins Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/does-van-hollen-have-enough-support-to-beat-schumer-in-senate-leadership-race Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Senate Democrats won back their majority last week, and now they’re fighting over who will lead it. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen has thrown his hat in the ring and says he will take on current Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on the first serious challenge Schumer has faced to his party leadership. Listen to this Segment By — Lisa Desjardins Lisa Desjardins Lisa Desjardins is a correspondent for PBS News Hour, where she covers news from the U.S. Capitol while also traveling across the country to report on how decisions in Washington affect people where they live and work. @LisaDNews
Does Van Hollen have enough support to beat Schumer in Senate leadership race?
In short
Chris Van Hollen is mounting an internal campaign against Chuck Schumer to lead the Senate Democratic caucus. This challenge follows directly on the heels of Democrats successfully regaining their Senate majority last week. It represents the very first serious challenge Schumer has faced regarding his position at the helm of the party. The impending vote leaves questions regarding whether the challenger can assemble the necessary support among fellow senators.
Key points
- Chris Van Hollen is actively seeking the necessary caucus votes to unseat the longtime De…: Chris Van Hollen is actively seeking the necessary caucus votes to unseat the longtime Democratic leader.
- The sudden leadership fight arrives immediately following the party's successful capture…: The sudden leadership fight arrives immediately following the party's successful capture of the Senate majority.
- Chuck Schumer faces an unprecedented internal test of his continued authority over Senate…: Chuck Schumer faces an unprecedented internal test of his continued authority over Senate Democrats.