Progressive US senator calling for more inclusion within Democratic caucus cites openness to change among peers
Democratic US senator Chris Van Hollen on Sunday escalated his bid to lead his party’s incoming Senate majority rather than Chuck Schumer, asserting that he has a path to victory amid a dedicated campaign that includes a series of television appearances.
Van Hollen, a Maryland progressive, appeared on Sunday on CNN, ABC and Fox News as he continues to make his case for why his peers in the Senate should reject Schumer, who has led the Democratic caucus for nearly a decade.
On CNN’s State of the Union, he reaffirmed that he believes he has a path to victory, citing support and a widespread openness to change within the Senate Democratic caucus.
“This really is a response to the call of the voters, who clearly rejected Donald Trump and his awful policies, but they haven’t fully hired the Democrats,” Van Hollen said, alluding to how the US president’s Republican party lost control of Congress during the 3 November midterm elections.
“They’ve given us a chance, and I think we need to earn their trust. And I think that begins by not going back to business as usual.”
Van Hollen criticized reports that Schumer’s team may move the Senate caucus leadership election date earlier than…
