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By Andrew Stanton
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing a revolt from incoming Democrats, including several who flipped Republican-held seats, in the midterm elections, despite a major overperformance in Congress’ upper chamber under his watch, but Grant Davis Reeher, professor of political science at Syracuse University, told Newsweek he “wouldn’t underestimate” Schumer despite “simmering” frustration with his leadership.
Democrats flipped seven seats in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas in the midterms, and seats in Alaska and Mississippi remain too close to call, meaning Democrats are expected to hold anywhere between 54 and 56 seats.
Democrats pulled off stunning upsets in states President Donald Trump carried by double digits only two years earlier in 2024. But several Democrats are uncommitted on supporting Schumer, who has been subject to criticism over his leadership in the second Trump administration. Many Democrats have called for new leadership in Congress and have indicated they would not vote for him.
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However, it’s not clear that these holdouts are actually enough to block Schumer from remaining the party’s leader. Schumer has already said he has the votes to win the leadership election. Unlike House speaker elections, he only needs a majority of the Democratic conference.
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Furthermore, no other Democrats have signaled plans to run against Schumer.
Still, the defections from new Democratic senators underscore the longstanding push for fresh leadership in D.C. from the party’s base, and the calls span the party’s ideological divides, with both centrist and progressive Democrats saying they believe Schumer should not remain leader.
“An open challenge, rather than one that happens behind closed doors, might show an early split in the party along the same lines that will cause it an issue going into 2028, so I imagine there may be a consensus to avoid drawing more attention to that,” Reeher said.
Newsweek reached out to Schumer’s office for comment via email.
Here is a look at the Democrats who have said they would not be supporting Schumer, or have called for new leadership.
Democrats Who've Said They Won't Support Schumer
Annie Andrews
Andrews, who flipped a seat in South Carolina, told Fox News she believes it is “time for generational change on both sides of the aisle” when asked if she plans to support him.
Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed, a progressive who defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan, has declined to back Schumer, instead pointing to Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen as a potential replacement.
During a campaign event in July, El-Sayed referred to Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen as the next Senate majority leader.
During a CNN interview after his victory, he said Van Hollen has to make the decision about whether to run himself, but that he believes he would make a great leader.
“I don’t know who is stepping up and saying, ‘I want to be Senate majority leader.’ If we have another option, I’m going to look at that and say, ‘Who is best placed to get us action, get money out of politics, put money in pockets and pass Medicare for All,’” he said.
Peggy Flanagan
Flanagan, who won an open seat in Minnesota, told Minneapolis-based news station KMSP she is “tremendously grateful” for Schumer’s leadership but that “it is time for new leadership.”
“I think it’s time for a new leadership, and I’m eager to work in partnership with my new colleagues to get that done,” she said. “When it comes to exactly who that is, I can’t tell you that, but I think that people are ready for new voices and new leadership in the Senate caucus.”
Adam Hamilton
Senator-elect Hamilton, who flipped a Kansas Senate seat, told KMBC he is standing by a campaign promise not to support Schumer.
“I really believe we need a majority leader who is going to be able to bring people together and unite people,” he said. “I think we need somebody who is going to be effective, both with the Democratic Party, but also be able to build bridges across the aisle.”
He also said the party needs younger leaders with “fresh ideas.”
Troy Jackson
Jackson, who unseated longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine, told CBS News he is not going to be supporting Schumer.
“I’ve told Senator Schumer I’m going to support somebody else,” he told reporters.
Juliana Stratton
Stratton, who won an open Senate race in Illinois, said during the primary she would not be supporting Schumer.
Elissa Slotkin
Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat who won in 2024, said during a June interview with Stephen A. Smith that she is a “big believer in new leadership.”
“We need new leadership in the White House, the House, and the Senate, and on both sides of the aisle. That includes Democrats,” she said. “We have literally found ourselves in a situation where we just don’t have people who understand the moment, and understand what leadership means.”
Other Democrats Uncommitted as Schumer Says He Has the Votes
Other Democrats such as Senators-elect James Talarico in Texas and Chris Pappas have been uncommitted on whether they will support Schumer.
However, Schumer has indicated he has the votes to become the next leader.
On Wednesday, Schumer was asked about the newly elected candidates who say they won't back him: "The issue is not me. I'll be reelected as majority leader. But the issue is focusing on the American people and what they want.”
Petitions calling on Senate Democrats to replace Schumer as leader have reached 100,000 signatures, the latest indication that the Democratic base is unhappy with leadership.
Why Some Democrats Want to Replace Schumer
Schumer has faced criticism from many Democrats over what they view as a feeble approach to handling Trump since his return to office in January 2025.
Frustration came to a head last year after Schumer helped advance a Republican-backed government funding bill with little fight, yielding no concessions from Republicans. The backlash prompted calls for the longtime senator to face a primary challenge in the next election, with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive, frequently being floated as a possible challenger.
What Happens Next
The leadership fight could play out over the coming weeks, though it’s not clear whether anyone is actually going to challenge Schumer or how deep calls for new leadership may reverberate across the Senate Democratic caucus.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Gray R. Thomas
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