Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Monday that he has not ruled out challenging Sen. Chuck Schumer for the top Democratic leadership post, as lawmakers begin weighing the party’s strategy for its incoming Senate majority.

The Maryland Democrat told reporters he was in “listening mode” about a potential bid for majority leader. “What I’ve said from the very beginning is we shouldn’t have a coronation,” Van Hollen said, adding that he “hasn’t shut the door.”

Schumer, the current minority leader, is widely expected to lead the new majority when it takes office in January. Some Democrats, however, have withheld their support while seeking more detail about how the party would approach the next two years.

Senate Democrats are scheduled to meet Tuesday to begin discussing their path forward. The leadership vote is expected at a closed-door meeting in early December, where Schumer would need the support of a majority of his caucus.

Van Hollen met Monday with Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, who declined over the weekend to rule out leadership ambitions of her own. Slotkin reiterated Monday that she would not vote for a majority leader candidate who could not articulate a plan, particularly for the first 100 days.

“I think a lot of members are calling each other and talking to each other and saying the same thing,” Slotkin said.

Both senators are viewed as potential presidential contenders. Van Hollen previously suggested that his focus was on 2028 and helping Democrats win back the White House when asked about speculation that he might seek the Senate leadership role.

Schumer may not need the support of either Van Hollen or Slotkin to retain his position. Several Democrats have signaled their backing after the party exceeded expectations in last week’s midterm elections.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Monday that he plans to continue supporting Schumer while welcoming the perspectives of incoming members. “We need them and we need to listen to them and the Senate needs to change the way it operates,” he said.