Democrats Win Both Chambers; Flanagan Urges New Senate Leadership as Schumer Says He'll Stay
Photo: Fox NewsMinnesota Senator-elect Peggy Flanagan called on Wednesday for new Democratic leadership in the Senate, a day after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections. Flanagan, who defeated Republican Michele Tafoya, said she was grateful for Chuck Schumer's leadership but named no replacement. Senators-elect Abdulrahman El-Sayed of Michigan and Juliana Stratton of Illinois have said they will oppose Schumer, and James Talarico has voiced doubt about his future. Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats for about a decade, said at a Wednesday press conference that he will be re-elected majority leader. A leadership vote is set for December, before the new Congress starts in January, and no Democrat had entered the race as of Wednesday. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said no one should commit to a next leader before a conversation about a bold agenda, and a source close to him said he does not plan to challenge Schumer. A Change.org petition to replace House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has passed 500,000 signatures.
The left-leaning outlets diverge from each other. The New Republic leads with swelling calls to replace both Jeffries and Schumer, citing a lack of vision, reluctance to confront Trump, corporate PAC money and deference to Israel's government, and quotes Flanagan and Van Hollen. The Atlantic, under the headline "Chuck Schumer's Revenge," calls him the architect of a historic landslide after years as a left-wing punching bag. Right-leaning outlets split too. Fox News leads with Schumer and Jeffries sidestepping questions on ending the filibuster and probing Elon Musk, and notes Trump's urging of Republicans to scrap the filibuster. Breitbart centers on Flanagan's quotes, the lack of a declared challenger and the December vote. Both sides report Schumer's expectation of keeping his post. The Hill, in a distinct angle, reports only that Van Hollen will not challenge Schumer.
How the sides differ Left sources split between calls to oust Schumer and Jeffries and credit for Schumer's win; right sources stress Schumer's dodged policy questions and Flanagan's challenge.
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- The AtlanticPaywallChuck Schumer’s Revenge
The New Republic leads with growing calls to replace Jeffries and Schumer, quoting Flanagan and Van Hollen and citing a petition. The Atlantic instead presents Schumer as the architect of a historic landslide.
The Hill reports, citing a source close to Van Hollen, that the Maryland senator does not plan to challenge Schumer for Senate leader and wants an open caucus conversation first.
Fox News stresses Schumer and Jeffries dodging questions on the filibuster and an Elon Musk probe. Breitbart leads with Flanagan's call for new leadership, the December vote and the absence of a declared challenger.