Van Hollen launches first contested Senate Democratic leadership race since 1994, vows to kill the filibuster

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland is officially running to replace Chuck Schumer as leader of Senate Democrats, and he says he would end the filibuster, Fox News Digital reports.

Van Hollen announced the challenge Thursday night after a listening tour with fellow Democratic senators. Fox notes it is the first contested Senate Democratic leadership election since 1994. Schumer, who has led the caucus since 2017, says he has the votes to stay on and lead the incoming majority.

"We need democracy in the United States Senate, and that means allowing, ultimately, a majority of senators to answer the call of the American people," Van Hollen said at the What's Next conference in Denver. "So, that means 51 votes." He called the filibuster an "anti-democratic" rule that is "not in our Constitution."

Van Hollen said he discussed the race with Schumer and is dropping any thought of a 2028 White House run. "I'm no longer pursuing that," he told reporters. He said the new Democratic majority should pass the bills its candidates campaigned on: "We shouldn't wait to hear what President Trump may or may not do."

The secret-ballot vote is expected in early December. The winner needs 28 votes, or 29 if Democrats win the Alaska Senate race, where ballots are still being counted.