Sen. Chris Van Hollen told reporters Monday evening that he’s in “listening mode” about a potential bid for majority leader — and isn't yet ruling out running against Chuck Schumer.
“What I've said from the very beginning is we shouldn't have a coronation,” said Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, adding that he “hasn't shut the door.”
Van Hollen’s comments come as Schumer, the current minority leader, is widely expected to be elected to lead the new Senate majority in January. But some Democrats have held off on saying they would vote for the New York lawmaker, arguing they first want clarity on what the party’s strategy will be for the next two years.
Democrats will meet as a group Tuesday to start talking about their path forward.
Van Hollen met with Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) on Monday, after she declined over the weekend to rule out her own leadership ambitions. Slotkin reiterated Monday that she will not vote for a majority leader candidate who cannot articulate a plan, especially for the first 100 days.
“I think a lot of members are calling each other and talking to each other and saying the same thing,” Slotkin said.
Both Van Hollen and Slotkin are viewed as potential presidential contenders. Van Hollen, asked previously about speculation that he could run for leader, had suggested that his focus was on 2028 and making sure Democrats win back the White House.
Schumer may not need these two lawmakers to win his leadership election, however: He only needs a majority of his caucus to support him during a closed-door meeting to be convened in early December.
Plenty of Senate Democrats appear more than happy to vote for Schumer after the party exceeded expectations in last week's midterms. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Monday he's one of them.
“I plan to continue to support Schumer just as I have, but I'm also very excited about the new ideas and energy that the new members will bring,” said Blumenthal. “We need them and we need to listen to them and the Senate needs to change the way it operates.”
