Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen has announced his candidacy to replace Chuck Schumer as the party's leader in the US Senate, pledging to bring new leadership following Democratic gains in the November midterm elections.

The announcement by Van Hollen, 67, sets up an internal contest within the party, days after Democrats regained control of both chambers of Congress.

"Americans called on us in this election to fix an economy rigged against working people and fueled by political corruption. To do that, we need new leadership," Van Hollen wrote on X. "That's why I'm announcing my candidacy for Senate Majority Leader."

Hollen garners support from prominent Democrat figures

Schumer, 75, has led Senate Democrats for several years and has faced calls from some party members to step aside and make way for new leadership following the party's victory in the November 3 elections, which restored its control of the 100-member chamber.

Van Hollen is the first senator to publicly challenge Schumer and has secured backing from prominent progressive figures within the party.

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, announced this week that he would not support Schumer remaining in the leadership position. Abdul El-Sayed, the newly elected senator from Michigan, also endorsed Van Hollen in a post on X.

Schumer welcomed debate over the party's future while maintaining that he had sufficient support to retain his position.

"I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and delivering on the aspirations of the American people," he wrote on X.

Sanders joins calls for change in Democratic leadership

Senator Bernie Sanders publicly opposed Chuck Schumer's re-election as Senate Democratic leader on Tuesday, calling for a fundamental shift in the party's political direction and leadership.

Speaking to reporters following a closed-door meeting of Senate Democrats, Sanders said the recent election results reflected public demand for change and urged the party to adopt a different approach.

“If this campaign was about anything, it was about change, and the need for the Democratic Party, in my view, to move in a new and bold direction,” Sanders said. “I will not be supporting Chuck to be re-elected as the Democratic leader.”

Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, became the first sitting member of the Senate Democratic caucus to publicly reject Schumer's bid to retain the leadership position.

The opposition comes as Schumer's role in the party's recent electoral gains remains significant. His efforts to recruit candidates and raise campaign funds helped Democrats secure major victories, potentially increasing their Senate representation by as many as nine seats and restoring their majority.

However, progressive groups have continued to criticize Schumer's leadership, arguing that his approach is too moderate and calling for a new generation of Democrats to take charge of the party.