Elissa Slotkin

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., faces a seemingly rocky path to being elected as his party’s leader in their newfound Senate majority, but no one has emerged outright to challenge him — despite growing calls for new leadership.

Schumer is currently running unopposed in the party’s leadership elections, which are scheduled to take place in December. But a number of high-profile Democrats came out this week opposing his nomination, instead calling for younger leadership in their Senate caucus.

“I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, told reporters on Tuesday. “But in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader.”

Schumer has served in a variety of leadership positions during his Senate tenure, and he’s been the top Senate Democrat for nearly a decade. But as Democrats prepare to take control of the upper chamber in January, some lawmakers want new hands to wield the gavel as they look ahead to defending Congress in 2028.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who is viewed as a rising star within Democratic ranks, similarly said she would not support Schumer for minority leader, although she declined to run herself.

“I am not actively seeking this job. I am seeking change,” Slotkin said. “I’ve been very consistent for a very long time that we need a new generation of leadership. ... It’s important to demonstrate that we’ve heard what people want from this last election.”

A number of other Democrats, including recently elected senators such as Abdul El-Sayed, have said they would not vote for Schumer. But none have thrown their hats in the ring or proposed an alternative candidate.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has not closed the door to running, telling reporters this week he has been approached by colleagues to consider it — a proposal he says he is “very actively in listening mode” about.

“We should not have a coronation,” Van Hollen said this week. “We should not support anybody for leader without a very clear plan, and as you know, there are many people who think change is required.”

It’s not yet clear if Van Hollen will formally declare a bid. And some within the caucus believe Schumer will walk away with the gavel uncontested.

“I think a lot of it is people understanding that it is very popular to be saying, ‘We need new leadership, it’s time for change,’” a source familiar with the dynamics of the Senate Democratic caucus, granted anonymity to talk candidly, told the Deseret News. “But I think it’s pretty telling that you haven’t seen anyone formally say, ‘Hey, I’m actually going to step forward and run.’”

Schumer has also cemented himself as a formidable candidate after leading his party to massive wins in the midterms, winning a net pickup of at least eight Senate seats with one more state left to be called. And some Democrats appear satisfied to reward Schumer with the top leadership position because of those victories.

“When the manager takes you to the World Series, you give them another contract,” Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., told reporters this week. “Chuck and I have had our differences, but at the end of the day, it’s time to unify.”

At the end of the day, Schumer’s fate could mirror that of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who was elected as minority leader for next year despite facing similar calls from within his conference to delay leadership races. Thune was elected by acclamation after no one ran against him.

Schumer, for his part, has already expressed confidence he’ll remain in control come Jan. 3.

“Our caucus is really united in focusing on bringing down costs, on ending the corruption, on ending the chaos, on ending the war,” Schumer said on Tuesday. “We have great unity in our caucus, and I’ll be proud to lead it as majority leader.”