Van Hollen adds challenging Schumer for Senate leadership to list of moves he’s pondering

Sen. Chris Van Hollen was already kicking the tires. Now, he’s also in active listening mode.

After a weekend of progressive drum-beating, Van Hollen seems to be flirting with the idea of challenging Sen. Chuck Schumer as the majority leader.

Just days ago, the Maryland Democrat said he wasn’t interested in the Senate’s top job, saying he instead was focused on exploring a possible 2028 presidential run.

But as Democrats savor flipping long-shot seats in states like Texas, Ohio, Michigan and Maine, the calls have grown louder. Van Hollen’s name has been on the lips of political pundits, columnists and influencers as the man they want on the inside.

That sent Van Hollen into “active listening mode,” according to a person familiar with his thinking. That matches what Politico Playbook included in its Monday dispatch: “The door is not shut.”

This all appears to be a shift from where Van Hollen was just days ago. He told Banner columnist Rick Hutzell that he was “very actively kicking the tires” on his 2028 presidential potential. “You can’t do both,” he said. “I’m not seeking the Democratic leadership position.”

He seemed conclusive in that interview. This weekend the door cracked open.

Van Hollen attended a political conference Saturday where he fielded the question. Who should be the next majority leader? Is Schumer the right one to lead?

First, Van Hollen said, Democrats need to have a family meeting.

“Before we coronate any one person, the Democratic Senate Caucus needs to have a discussion, including with the new members who were just elected,” he told one podcaster at Crooked Con, hosted by Crooked Media.

On Sunday, political columnist Will Bunch made the case for Van Hollen’s colleagues to short-list the “renegade” lawmaker. He noted Van Hollen’s breakout moment: In April 2025, the senator ignored the warnings of fellow Democrats and trailed a wrongly deported Maryland immigrant to an El Salvadoran prison.

Some of the freshly elected senators, including some that Van Hollen supported, have demurred on whether they support Schumer for the leadership role. But Schumer racked up numerous Senate wins last Tuesday and likely would be tough to defeat.

Sens.-elect Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota said she won’t back Schumer for the job. Sen.-elect Abdul El Sayed of Michigan flat-out endorsed Van Hollen, saying he would be “amazing” as leader.