Democratic Senate Nominees Rally Against Chuck Schumer’s Leadership

A wave of public opposition to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has emerged among Democratic Senate nominees and sitting senators. Minnesota nominee Peggy Flanagan, Michigan nominee Abdul El-Sayed, Illinois nominee Juliana Stratton, Maine nominee Troy Jackson, and others have publicly said they will not back Schumer as Senate leader. The list also includes sitting senators Elissa Slotkin and several primary challengers such as Seth Moulton.

Newsweek

Criticism intensified in March 2025 when Schumer supplied enough Democratic votes to pass a Republican-backed funding bill, a move labeled capitulation by his progressive flank. A 43-day government shutdown later that year ended after eight Senate Democrats broke ranks with Republicans, further blaming Schumer’s strategy. Over 50 progressive advocacy groups have called for his resignation, and primary victories by candidates opposed to his leadership have added momentum.

Newsweek

Multiple surveys indicate Schumer’s waning support. A CNN poll released April 29 found 17 % favorable and 44 % unfavorable nationwide. A Marist poll from late February reported only 27 % of New York voters rating his performance as good or excellent, the lowest since 1999. Siena College’s August 2025 poll showed his favorability among New Yorkers at a 20-year low. An Echelon Insights survey (mid-November 2025) recorded 24 % favorable and 54 % unfavorable nationally, while Decision Desk HQ’s average placed his net favorability at -23 in March 2025. Among Democratic voters, a Politico poll (June 2026) found 47 % opposed his continued leadership, and a Data for Progress poll (March 26-31, 2025) showed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leading Schumer 55 %-36 % in a hypothetical New York primary.

Newsweek

Flanagan, after defeating Angie Craig, said Democrats need “a progressive champion” and expressed openness to Chris Van Hollen as a future majority leader. Van Hollen has declined to endorse Schumer directly, noting the need to “get through the 2026 election” before voters decide. The ultimate decision will rest on a secret-ballot vote by the Senate Democratic caucus after the November elections, where incumbency and committee control give Schumer institutional advantages.

Newsweek

“If people can't recognize that the game has fundamentally changed and can't adapt, then they need to make room for others who can.” — Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Newsweek