Sen. Chris Van Hollen is drawing support from an unexpected corner of the Democratic Party: progressives who want the longtime Maryland lawmaker to challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader.

Following sweeping Democratic midterm gains, activists and lawmakers are pushing for new congressional leadership. For some, the 67-year-old Van Hollen — a father of three who has held public office continuously since 1991 — offers a credible alternative to Schumer, 75.

Van Hollen has not committed to a leadership bid and has also considered a potential 2028 presidential run. Ahead of early December’s caucus elections, he said he was “actively listening” to colleagues and warned against a “coronation” for Schumer.

Sen.-elect Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota, who has said she will not support Schumer, praised Van Hollen’s leadership. Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin met with him this week as she called for a leadership shakeup.

At a gathering of progressive groups, Van Hollen criticized Schumer and the Senate Democratic campaign arm, accusing them of siding with the cryptocurrency industry and the pro-Israel group AIPAC against progressive primary candidates.

His appeal reflects a shift for a politician who climbed the Democratic establishment’s ranks and chaired both House and Senate campaign committees. Since President Donald Trump returned to office in 2025, Van Hollen has become a more vocal critic of the administration’s spending cuts and deportation policies.

He was the first U.S. lawmaker to visit the El Salvador prison where deportees were sent, including Maryland resident Kilmar Ábrego García, who was mistakenly deported in violation of a court order. Van Hollen has also supported efforts to restrict arms sales to Israel amid the war in Gaza.

Schumer remains widely expected to win reelection as leader. His supporters cite his fundraising, relationships and role in helping Democrats make gains. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said he would vote for Schumer and challenged Van Hollen to run.

Whether or not he enters the race, Van Hollen is pressing for changes before year’s end, including cutting off funding for the Iran war and removing a provision mandating cooperation with Israel from the annual defense bill.