Battle for US Senate majority leader sets off with Van Hollen uphill challenge to Schumer

WASHINGTON — Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen has a considerable amount of support to shore up if he wants to become majority leader next Congress, a role New York Sen. Chuck Schumer appears far more likely to secure when votes are cast behind closed doors Dec. 1. Van Hollen, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, said during a press conference in Denver on Friday “it’s important to give Senate Democrats a choice. “That’s what we just gave voters — all over the country — a choice,” he said. “They chose change, and I think that the Democratic caucus needs to be open to new ideas, a different way of governing and a different way of conducting and approaching politics.” Van Hollen also told reporters he will not run for the presidency in 2028. Earlier this year, the Maryland Democrat had said he was “kicking the tires” on a potential 2028 presidential bid.

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