Washington – Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that he will not support New York Sen. Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader when the party takes control of the Senate, becoming the most prominent progressive to oppose his candidacy to date. Sanders made the announcement at a news conference on Capitol Hill, saying last week’s midterm elections were “about change.” Democrats will control at least 54 seats when the 120th Congress convenes in January. “It was a nationwide election, in red states and blue states, where people looked around and said, ‘What’s going on in America, when I’m struggling to put food on the table, pay for health care, pay for housing, and I’m worried not only that my economic life is going nowhere, but that, all things being equal, my son in the richest country in the history of the world is going to have the lowest standard of living than I do?’ And while all this is happening, the billionaire class has never had it so good,” Sanders said. He added: “I have known Chuck Schumer personally for over 30 years and I like Chuck. Nobody works harder than Chuck Schumer. But in my opinion, the time has come for a change and I will not support Chuck to be re-elected as Democratic leader.” Sanders, an independent who is part of the Democrats, called for “a vigorous debate about the direction of the Democratic Party.” “We need to get this out in the open to show the American people that a new day has come and that their votes mean a new direction in Washington,” he said. Sanders appeared alongside Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who said that “whoever wants to run this caucus should come up with a plan for how they’re going to govern differently, what they’re going to do in the first 100 days to put money in people’s pockets, and then, in particular, how they’re going to communicate.” differently.” Slotkin said he is “not actively seeking this job,” but rather “looking for a change.” “Whoever wants my vote is going to have to show me a concrete plan that is definitely different,” Slotkin said. “I’m a no until I see that from someone.” No contender has emerged to challenge Schumer’s role atop the Senate Democratic caucus, but Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has come the closest to throwing his hat in the ring. After initially saying he wouldn’t seek the job, Van Hollen said this week that he is exploring a possible candidacy. “What I have said from the beginning is that we should not have a coronation,” he said Monday. “I am in listening mode and I have not closed the door.” At an event on Tuesday, Van Hollen said he is “in the process of calling my colleagues because, at the end of the day, this is a vote in the Democratic caucus,” he said. with The Free Press
