Democratic Senator Refuses To Say Whether Chuck Schumer Should Continue To Lead the Party

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) declined to say whether Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer should continue leading Democrats in the upper chamber.

Senate Democrats elected Schumer leader in 2016, but the senator has been hit with a series of bad polls showing him with low approval ratings among Democrats in New York and nationally. That has fueled speculation that he could face a primary challenge in 2028 from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who, according to polls, would likely defeat him.

Van Hollen joined Thursday’s installment of The Source on CNN, where Kaitlan Collins asked the senator about the spate of recent victories by democratic socialists in Democratic primaries, much to Schumer’s chagrin.

“Democratic voters, should their sentiments be represented, do you think, in the leadership of Democrats on the Hill in the Senate and in the House?” Collins asked the senator.

“Oh, seriously, I am just focused on the 2026 elections,” Van Hollen replied. “But I do think beyond the 2026 elections, Kaitlan, as you go into 2028, it’s going to be really important that the Democratic Party show they’re going to stand up and fight for working people. And I think you’re going to see a huge debate within the Democratic Party over exactly how to do that.”

Collins then asked her guest outright whether Schumer should stay or go as leader.

“I ask because if fewer than three out of 10 Democratic voters have a favorable view of Chuck Schumer,” Collins stated. “Do you think that he should lead your party in the Senate?”

“Well, he’s got a very tough job,” Van Hollen said. “And so, my view is we should get through the 2026 election. See what voters say. But also at the same time, be prepared for the presidential election because it would be really good, of course, to win the Senate and the House. But ultimately, we need to make sure we have a Democrat in the White House.”

Watch above via CNN.

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