Chuck Schumer faced an immediate challenge to his grip on Senate Democrats after Minnesota Senator-elect Peggy Flanagan called for new leadership just one day after her party’s sweeping midterm victories. The incoming senator wants someone else running the caucus when the new Congress convenes. Her demand puts a leadership fight on Democrats’ agenda as they prepare to take power.
Flanagan spoke to reporters on November 4th during her first news conference since defeating Republican Michele Tafoya. Minnesota’s lieutenant governor had campaigned for an open Senate seat and emerged from the November 3rd election with a victory of roughly 10 percentage points. Her remarks came during a 30-minute Zoom appearance outlining her plans for Washington and her expectations for the incoming Congress.
The election also brought victories for fellow progressives Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Juliana Stratton in Illinois and Troy Jackson in Maine. Their policy priorities include Medicare for All, universal childcare and a higher federal minimum wage. At least 10 first-time Democratic senators had been elected by Wednesday, with the outcomes in Alaska and Mississippi still outstanding.
As Trending Politics reported, Flanagan thanked Schumer for his years of service before calling for his replacement. She pointed to incoming lawmakers who had rejected corporate PAC contributions and said she wanted to work with her new colleagues on changing leadership. Asked who should take over, she said, “When it comes to exactly who that is, I can’t tell you that.”
Schumer offered his own prediction outside the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee headquarters Wednesday morning: “I’ll be reelected as majority leader.” According to Roll Call, which reported his remarks, the leadership election will likely take place in early December. Senators-elect will participate in the secret ballot. Schumer has led Senate Democrats since 2017, following Harry Reid’s retirement, and faces his own reelection in New York in 2028.
Jackson, who defeated Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine, had already told reporters before Election Day that he intended to support someone else. He also said he would press Schumer on health care changes, including Medicare for All. New Hampshire’s Chris Pappas, who defeated John Sununu, called for a new generation of Senate leadership during the campaign and criticized leaders for responding too slowly to voters’ concerns.
Watch Flanagan call for new Senate leadership in this FOX 9 video:
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Flanagan’s Washington priorities also include restoring Medicaid and food assistance funding and ending health insurance prior authorization, Sahan Journal reported. She pledged to pursue accountability for ICE and the Trump administration. Discussing the election’s significance, she said, “I think the message was overwhelming across the country that folks are ready to be a check on this president.”
The Minnesota Reformer reported that Flanagan also identified areas where she hoped to attract Republican votes, including farmers’ right to repair their equipment and ending the war in Iran. Republican support would generally be needed to overcome the Senate filibuster. She also discussed sending legislation to President Donald Trump despite the possibility of a veto, saying, “We are going to pass some pretty bold legislation.”