Leadership race accelerates among Democrats in the US Senate

Making a statement to MS Now, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen stated that his candidacy was "not about any individual" but to fulfill the promises Democrats made to the American people in the midterm elections.

The candidacy announcement of Van Hollen, who was elected to the Senate in 2016 and is in the reformist wing of the Democratic Party, came at a time when some Democratic senators were looking for an alternative to Schumer, who they thought was not strong enough to carry the party forward.

Stating that he is considering entering the presidential race in 2028, Van Hollen has emerged as the favorite to compete for this post against Schumer, who holds the current leadership of the Democrats in the Senate, and has increasingly increased his desire to do so in recent days.

First elected Muslim Senator Sayed also supports Van Hollen

Abdul al-Sayed, the first elected US Muslim Senator, who had previously called on Van Hollen to seek the post of majority leader in the Senate, said he was "proud" to support Van Hollen for the post.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders also made statements that he would oppose Schumer and encouraged Van Hollen to run for office.

Democrats in the US Senate will vote behind closed doors on December 1 to determine who will be their leader once their party captures the Senate majority on January 4.

Van Hollen stood out in the US Senate for his focus on budget issues and foreign policy, and he openly advocated for cuts in the budget allocated for the war with Iran.

The Maryland Senator also noted in his recent statements that Democrats should not receive funding from the pro-Israel lobby group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).