Indivisible Calls on Senate Democrats to Replace Chuck Schumer
Indivisible is urging Senate Democrats to replace Chuck Schumer, citing his weak approval and opposition from newly elected senators.
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A day after Democrats won both chambers of Congress, progressive group Indivisible called on Senate Democrats to replace Chuck Schumer.
The Hill reported the demand on Nov. 4. Indivisible’s social media statement framed the midterm result as a mandate for tougher leadership.
“Yesterday, voters made it very clear that they want a new generation of Democratic fighters,” the group said. “We need a leader in the Senate who is capable of leading that fight. It’s time for Senate Democrats to choose new leadership.”
“The American people did not elect Democrats by historic margins just to bend the knee and go back to business as usual,” Indivisible added.
“Senate Democrats need to listen to the voters and turn the page on status quo politics.”
Weak Approval Ratings
An NBC News poll from late October found that only 13% of registered voters viewed Schumer’s leadership positively.
The figure was cited in secondary coverage of the survey. Progressive group Our Revolution has also called on Senate Democrats to move past Schumer.
Incoming Senators Withhold Support
Several newly elected Democratic senators have publicly said they would not back Schumer as majority leader.
Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed told Current Affairs in May that Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was his “number one pick for majority leader.”
At a July rally after Van Hollen endorsed him, El-Sayed introduced the Maryland senator as the “next Senate majority leader.”
Kansas Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton said he would not support Schumer, citing a need for “fresh ideas” and “fresh people.”
Illinois Sen.-elect Juliana Stratton has said she will not support him. She argued that voters want people who will “stand up” and “fight.”
Maine Sen.-elect Troy Jackson told The New York Times the party needs a “different approach.”
It “isn’t going to happen with Senator Schumer,” he said.
Minnesota Sen.-elect Peggy Flanagan said after the election that “it is time for new leadership.” She also thanked Schumer for his past service.
Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico declined to commit to Schumer in a September Punchbowl News interview. He said the party needs “new blood” in Washington.
New Hampshire Sen.-elect Chris Pappas also declined to commit in a September interview with MS NOW’s Peter Alexander. He emphasized a need for “new voices in leadership.”
Van Hollen Declines to Run
Van Hollen told Bloomberg he does not intend to run for majority leader himself.
He said “no one should be committing to anybody as the next Democratic leader” without first discussing a bold agenda.
“We need commitments,” he said.
The Numbers Still Favor Schumer
Fox News counted five public opponents among the new senators. Five votes are not enough to block Schumer in a caucus of that size.
No incumbent Democrat has publicly opposed him. No formal challenger has announced.
Leadership is chosen by secret ballot of the Democratic caucus, with a simple majority required. The vote is expected in early December.
Schumer Projects Confidence
Speaking Wednesday morning, Schumer called the Democratic Senate wins “a generational remake of the Senate map that has huge consequences for history.”
He has separately vowed that Democrats will end the Iran war using Congress’s power of the purse.
Asked about his own future, Schumer told reporters: “I’ll be reelected as majority leader.”
Kamer Kurunç
Kamer Kurunç is the Team Leader of Clash Report and has led the outlet for four years. He oversees its breaking world news coverage, from the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war to defense and global politics. His focus is fast, verified, source-based reporting. Follow him on X at @kamerknc.
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