New crop of Democrats coming to US Senate to challenge Schumer

The clock may be running on Chuck Schumer, the most senior Jewish elected official in US history, as Democrats flipped at least seven Senate seats in midterm elections last week.The Democratic takeover of the Senate has led to some carping that he is too old, too moderate, or not aggressive enough against President Donald Trump to continue as leader.Schumer has led the Senate's Democratic caucus since 2017, including as majority leader from 2021 until 2025. A pro-Israel stalwart who prides himself as a Shomer Yisrael (“guardian of Israel”), Schumer has found himself increasingly out of step on Israel-related matters with the party's caucus and its voters.Progressives are also pushing for a bolder agenda that includes policies such as Medicare for All, which Schumer has not taken up. No senator has launched an official opposition bid ahead of December's leadership election, but one name has generated buzz: Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, an outspoken critic of Israel who has led efforts to investigate the country's human rights practices and pressure its right-wing government.He has drawn blowback from some Jewish leaders in recent years over his criticism of Israel and of AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group.Van Hollen told reporters on Monday that he is in “listening mode” and “hasn't shut the door”