Elissa Slotkin

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) on Wednesday called for “new leadership” within the Democratic Party, alleging that the caucus never fully recovered from its 2024 elections losses.

“Every day there’s a debate within the party about the path forward,” Slotkin said during an appearance on SiriusXM’s “Straight Shooter” podcast hosted by Stephen A. Smith.

“That’s why I believe we need significant new leadership. The old models are no longer working, and that includes the Democratic Party,” she added.

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Slotkin said new leaders are needed in both chambers of Congress, in addition to a new form of messaging that’s singularly focused on a core set of issues.

Her comments echo some sentiments from democratic socialists in New York, who saw victories in two congressional races and six state Assembly campaigns with the support of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D).

Mamdani has remained laser focused on affordability and improving conditions for the working class.

“Democrats were soundly defeated in 2024. I was in a swing state, and I won that same year. To me, the lesson was simple. Democrats had too many priorities. They tried to make everyone happy and answer every question. When you prioritize everything, no one knows what you actually stand for,” Slotkin told Smith.

“Donald Trump came in with one clear message. He said, ‘I’m going to make your life more affordable. I’m going to put more money in your pocket.’ He won because he kept his message simple and focused on the issue Americans cared most about,” she added.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin has been working to change tensions within the party since being elected to the position in February 2025.

However, Slotkin said there needed to be a more significant shift in party leaders to ensure change.

Some of her colleagues in the senate are reportedly attempting to oust Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) as the first step.

Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) rallied to replace Schumer following frustrations that stemmed from the way he handled last year’s 43-day government shutdown, The Wall Street Journal reported in March.

Some progressive Democrats are looking to replace Schumer with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), while Schumer has supported Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) as his successor.

Democrats in the upper chamber will elect a party leader after the November general election through a secret ballot.

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