Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland announced Thursday that he will challenge Chuck Schumer of New York for Senate majority leader, setting up an internal clash just as Democrats prepare to take over Congress in January.

He made the announcement in an interview on MS Now and repeated it on social media, writing that voters 'cannot return to business as usual in Washington' and that the party needs 'a bold agenda to deliver for working people.'

He framed the run as 'not about any one individual' but about answering 'the call of the American people.'

The move is striking because, according to Deadline, Van Hollen told Fox 5 in Washington just last week that he would not challenge Schumer at all.

Explaining the change of heart to MS Now's Jen Psaki, he called the midterm outcome 'a generational opportunity,' citing what he described as 56 Senate Democratic seats and arguing that 'you can't earn that trust with old leadership.'

The New York Times reports he had emerged in recent days as the favorite to mount a challenge and had grown increasingly willing to do so.

The battle comes barely a week after Democrats swept to a midterm victory, as The Guardian put it, facing 'an altogether different battle, one within their own ranks.'

Van Hollen, a 67-year-old progressive first elected to the Senate in 2016 after seven House terms, is openly acknowledging he is the underdog, telling The New York Times, 'Am I the underdog? Yes.'

Van Hollen told The New York Times he had spoken to a large number of Democratic senators, including incoming members, and claimed 'more than 10' of the 55 Democratic senators and senators-elect behind him.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont said this week he would oppose Schumer and encouraged Van Hollen to run. NPR reports that incoming Democrats Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota and Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed also oppose Schumer, while Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin said she is 'seeking change.'

Schumer, 75, has led Senate Democrats since 2017 and pushed back on social media that he has 'the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader,' calling a 55-seat result 'an amazing result.'

NPR notes he drew criticism from the party's base for not taking a tougher stance against President Trump during a 2025 government funding fight.

NPR reports supporters including Ruben Gallego, Kirsten Gillibrand and Angela Alsobrooks; Deadline adds John Fetterman, Brian Schatz and Angus King, who asked, 'Why would you fire the manager when you just won the World Series?'

Senate Democrats will vote by secret ballot for majority leader in early December; Deadline reports the vote is scheduled for December 1. The winner will preside over a majority that NPR says could grow from 55 to 56 seats depending on the final tally in Alaska's Senate race.

Van Hollen, who according to the New York Times is weighing a 2028 presidential run, told MS Now his priorities are to bring down costs, end the war against Iran and refuse AIPAC money — an agenda that will shape the leadership contest itself.