Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, said at a Capitol news conference that he will not back Sen. Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat who now leads Senate Democrats, for Democratic leader in the new Congress, telling reporters, The time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader.
Sanders delivered the remark while flanked by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, and they both called for a debate about the partys direction and future. Slotkin said she wants potential candidates for the post to present details about their priorities for the new majority, and that she will vote down any proposed leader who does not offer that.
Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed and other progressives are backing Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland as a potential contender for the post. That contest will decide who leads Senate Democrats after the party takes the chamber in January.
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