Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) declined to back current Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to lead the incoming Democratic majority in January.
“We need a conversation about leadership going forward because we need new energy and ideas,” Blumenthal, 80, said Monday, according to Connecticut’s News12.
Blumenthal told the outlet that he expects Schumer to “be reelected as Leader because no one has come forth willing to take the position” but added that the Democratic caucus needs “a conversation about leadership.”
Blumenthal’s refusal to commit to Schumer comes as the New York Senate titan has received some pushback from his own party as he is running to lead the Democratic caucus when they retake the majority in January.
Multiple incoming Democrats have declined to explicitly back Schumer for leadership. Sen.-elect Abdul el Sayed (D-MI) said he’s seeking a more progressive leader, while more centrist newcomers like Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton (D-KS) have called Schumer a “polarizing figure.”
As far as possible challengers to Schumer’s leadership, no Democrats have officially raised their hands. However, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) told Politico that she is “not ruling anything out” and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is also keeping the door open to a possible run, according to Punchbowl News.
Slotkin said she wouldn’t fully back Schumer until he presents “a plan” to help the lives of everyday Americans.
SLOTKIN VOWS TO OPPOSE SCHUMER ‘UNTIL I SEE A PLAN,’ WON’T RULE OUT LEADERSHIP CHANGE
“Not until I see a plan, no. And I would certainly not vote for him if we don’t have a plan,” Slotkin told the outlet. “The American public had a very strong message for Donald Trump and a very strong message about what they wanted out of their elected leaders, which is something to help their pocketbooks and their kids.”
Both Slotkin and Van Hollen have also been floated as possible 2028 presidential candidates. Blumenthal said last week that he plans to run for reelection to the Senate in 2028, per the Connecticut Post.