Van Hollen v. Schumer has no good outcome, CatholicVote analyst says

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., announced Nov. 12 that he will challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to lead Senate Democrats, who won control of the chamber in the midterms and will hold the majority when the new Congress convenes in January. But CatholicVote’s director of government affairs predicts “disastrous policy” regardless of the winner.

“I think there is little light between the policies of the two,” Tom McClusky, CatholicVote’s director of government affairs, told Zeale News. “The difference will be Sen. Van Hollen will feel compelled to move it faster because his supporters are more vocally radical, as Senator Schumer is more strategically radical.” 

But in McClusky’s view, whoever wins the Senate leadership role, “the result is the same for the American people — disastrous policy.”

When it comes to the Senate Republicans choosing incumbent Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., as their leader Nov. 10, McClusky saw that outcome as a return to a “disappointing status quo.” Thune ran unopposed and won by acclamation in a secret-ballot election, after the conference voted 31-15 to hold the vote despite some senators’ requests to delay it.

Van Hollen announced his bid on X and in a written statement. “To deliver, we need new leadership,” he said, framing his bid as not being about any one person. Van Hollen, 67, is younger than Schumer, 75. Van Hollen has criticized Schumer’s ties to Israel and other special interests.

Schumer said he welcomes discussion about the future of the caucus but has the votes to keep the job, Fox News reported. The vote will be closed-door, and the winner needs to garner the support of the majority of the Democratic caucus. It will be the first contested election for the post in decades.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., endorsed Van Hollen on Nov. 12 after saying earlier in the week he would not back Schumer, Fox News reported. Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat, also urged Van Hollen to run. Incoming Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., have all backed Schumer. 

“Why would you fire the manager when you just won the World Series?” King said, according to AP News.

Most Democratic senators have either backed Schumer or not said how they will vote. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly has said he plans to support Schumer, while Sens.-elect Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Troy Jackson of Maine, and Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota have called for new leadership, according to Newsweek. The rift dates to spring 2025, when Schumer sided with Republicans on a spending vote, and deepened after he led the caucus through last year’s government shutdown.