Bernie Sanders says he won't back Chuck Schumer to lead Senate Democrats in the new majority

WASHINGTON (Nov. 11) — Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that he will not support Sen. Chuck Schumer to remain the Senate's top Democrat when the party takes the majority in January, the most prominent progressive so far to oppose Schumer's bid for another term, CBS News reported.

"I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. Nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer," Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, said at a news conference at the Capitol. "But in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader."

Sanders made the announcement shortly after Senate Democrats held their first full caucus meeting since returning to Washington after the midterm elections, Politico reported. Democrats will control at least 54 seats in the new Congress, according to CBS News, and NBC News reported that races in Mississippi and Alaska were still being counted.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan stood with Sanders and also called for a new generation of leadership, The Associated Press reported. "I am not actively seeking this job. I am seeking change," Slotkin said, according to NBC News. Neither senator proposed an alternative candidate.

No senator has formally entered the race against Schumer, who has led the caucus for a decade, according to Politico and NBC News. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, whom grassroots progressive groups are urging to run, said Tuesday he was still "actively listening" to colleagues. "We should not have a coronation," he told reporters, NBC News reported.

Schumer needs the support of a majority of the caucus to win another term as leader, and some incoming Democratic senators have not committed to backing him, NBC News reported. Others have: asked whether he supports Schumer, returning Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio answered, "Yes." Senate Democrats are expected to hold their leadership elections in early December, CBS News reported.