Van Hollen Challenges Schumer for Senate Leader
Karachi-born Chris Van Hollen challenges Schumer for the leadership of the Senate Democrats, announcing a run for the post Chuck Schumer has held since 2017.
Van Hollen, a 67-year-old Democrat from Maryland, announced his run on Thursday, after the Democrats won a Senate majority in the midterm elections. The closed-door secret-ballot vote will take place next month. Dawn reported the announcement on Friday.
“In the midterm elections, voters called for a change from the status quo that isn’t working for working people,” Van Hollen said. “It’s now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership. That is why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader.”
Why Van Hollen challenges Schumer now
Schumer is expected to keep his post, and he said on Thursday that he had the votes to continue as the Democratic leader. He had earlier predicted that he would face no challenger.
“I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader,” Schumer said in a statement. “I welcome any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead.”
Van Hollen told MSNOW that he had the support of more than 10 of the 55 Democratic senators who are known to be voting. He accepted that he was the underdog in the race against the 75-year-old Schumer. Two of his backers are already public: Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who votes with the Democrats. Sanders and Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan called for new leadership at a press conference earlier this week. A few new senators-elect have said they will not support Schumer.
The midterms gave Democrats control of both chambers. Democrats will hold at least 55 seats in the Senate, with Republicans holding 44. The race for a seat from Alaska has not yet been called. The Democratic candidate holds a 2.2 per cent lead over the Republican, with 88 per cent counted as of late Thursday.
A Karachi-born senator with a Pakistan connection
Van Hollen was born in Karachi in 1959, the son of an American foreign service officer. He has spoken of his “special connection” with Pakistan, and he recorded a message for the country’s Independence Day last year.
“I am proud to join you in celebrating Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day. I am fortunate to have a special connection with Pakistan, having been born in Karachi as the son of an American foreign service officer,” he said in the clip.
He has served in the Senate since January 2017, after 14 years in the House. He has also hinted at a possible run for president in 2028, a bid that would build on the same profile.
What Van Hollen says he would do differently
Van Hollen has said Democrats need to hold President Donald Trump’s administration accountable for what he called “gross corruption”. He also wants the party to press for an end to the US-Israeli war on Iran and to unite behind an aggressive economic agenda aimed at working-class Americans.
On foreign policy, he has been critical of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and its military assault on Gaza. He has argued against deepening defence ties with the US ally. He told Reuters last week that Democrats should not be overly cautious in taking on corporations, billionaires and special interests that voters blame for making their lives harder.
“Midterms are a referendum on the party in power, but I also think this was a plea for a new kind of politics,” he said.
The leadership race is the first test of that argument. It comes as Washington’s foreign policy faces pressure on several fronts, and as Pakistan watches the new Congress for signals on Kashmir and regional de-escalation efforts. The result, due next month, will show whether the party wants a new face at the top.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Chris Van Hollen?
A Democratic senator from Maryland, born in Karachi in 1959. He has served in the Senate since January 2017, after 14 years in the House of Representatives.
Why is he challenging Chuck Schumer?
He says voters called for change in the midterms and the party needs new leadership. Schumer has led Senate Democrats since 2017.
When is the vote?
The secret ballot takes place next month, behind closed doors.
Who supports Van Hollen?
Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed and Senator Bernie Sanders have said they back him. He says more than 10 of the 55 Democratic senators support him.
What is Van Hollen’s link to Pakistan?
He was born in Karachi in 1959, the son of an American foreign service officer, and has spoken of his special connection with the country.
