Van Hollen not running for Senate majority leader, source says

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is not planning to challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for Senate majority leader, a source close to Van Hollen told NewsNation, The Hill’s partner network.

“Prior to selecting a majority leader, Senator Van Hollen believes the caucus needs to have an honest and open conversation about how we move an agenda forward that reflects the will of the American people,” the source said in an email. “He’s made it clear that the new Democratic majorities need to use their power to push a proactive, economic agenda.”

The news comes the same day Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed (D) told CNN he would vote for Van Hollen over the Senate minority leader, echoing a statement he made previously. Several other incoming Democratic senators have made similar calls, but El-Sayed was the first to mention a specific alternative to Schumer.

Schumer said Thursday he will run again to lead Democrats and win.

Van Hollen may have his sights set on other leadership roles; he told The Washington Sun in June he is “actively kicking the tires” on the 2028 presidential election.