Mayor Mamdani declined to back Sen. Schumer’s bid for majority leader on Friday — coming after Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen announced a progressive challenge to the New York senator.
Van Hollen, a progressive Democrat, announced his challenge on Thursday, saying he was motivated by the results of the midterm elections: “The call was really to reject the status quo and to reject business as usual,” he said on MS NOW.
Mamdani and Schumer have many ideological differences, and the mayor has frequently spoken about a need to elevate populist, left-wing politics that prioritize “material improvements for the working class.”
“I care less about who it is, and I care more about what they do with that power,” Mamdani said at a Friday press conference in response to a question on whether Schumer and his more centrist politics were a fit for the leadership position.
Some allies of the mayor, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, have already voiced support for Van Hollen.
Schumer said in a statement that he welcomed “any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead.”
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together — 55 seats and counting is an amazing result — and I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader,” he said. “I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and delivering for the American people.”
Schumer did not endorse Mamdani during the mayoral election last year, breaking tradition by not getting behind his party’s nominee.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, for his part, did endorse Mamdani during the general election, shortly before voting started.
Mamdani has previously said he stands behind Jeffries’ unopposed run for House Speaker. Incoming New York City Reps. Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, however, have remained uncommitted.
Senate Democrats are slated to vote on Dec. 1. The official vote for Speaker of the House, which is held publicly with the entire body, will take place in January on the first day of the new Congress, though both parties may hold leadership debates privately as soon as this month.