Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., told reporters this afternoon that he was “no longer pursuing” a 2028 presidential campaign and instead will focus on his effort to become Senate Democrats’ next majority leader.
“I believe that the size and scale of these majorities provides an opportunity for the United States Senate to answer the call with the American people,” Van Hollen said, later definitively adding, “I’m not running in 2028.”
Van Hollen, who officially announced his bid for majority leader yesterday, had previously told NBC News that he was still “kicking the tires” on a potential 2028 run.
He said today that he spoke to Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and that the pair understand “this will be a competition” as Schumer tries to earn another stint of leading the caucus.
“I think it’s important to give Senate Democrats a choice,” Van Hollen said. “That’s what we just gave voters all over the country, a choice. They chose change, and I think that the Democratic Caucus needs to be open to new ideas.”
Van Hollen called himself the “underdog in this race,” adding that the “majority leader has lots of powers of incumbency to try to, you know, make deals or agreements with people.”
“That’s actually part of the problem with the process,” he said. “But I can tell you that a lot of my colleagues want to see a whole different approach to governing in the United States Senate and in the Senate Democratic Caucus.”
Van Hollen, who said in an interview with MS NOW last night that “over 10” senators have privately backed him for the role, told reporters today that “I’m not going to put out a number,” but that he had just heard from more senators who will support his bid.
He specifically noted the endorsement of Sen.-elect Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota, who wrote in a post on X today that Van Hollen is “the leader and fighter we need to bring about real change, so no American is left behind.” Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, another newcomer to the Senate, also pledged his support to Van Hollen last night.
“As you well know, the majority of the new members, fresh off the campaign trail, fresh off listening to their constituents, have said they will not support the current majority leader for re-election, and they are answering the call of the American people for change,” Van Hollen said.
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