Dems quietly weighing move to oust Schumer as frustrations boil: report

[luv2fly]

Dems quietly weighing move to oust Schumer as frustrations boil: report
Erik De La Garza
March 20, 2026 11:28PM ET

Frustration with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is intensifying among some Democrats, with conversations quietly underway about whether he should step aside after the midterm elections, according to an exclusive Wall Street Journal report.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) told progressive activists during a February dinner that lawmakers had been conducting informal vote counts to gauge whether enough support existed to remove the New York Democrat from his leadership post, the Journal reported Friday.

Murphy told the outlet he does not recall referencing any specific tally and maintains Schumer still has the backing of the caucus. “But the disclosure stood out nonetheless, because it revealed that frustration inside the Senate had reached a high enough level that some Democrats were actively contemplating how to oust Schumer,” the report said.

Murphy is among a group of Democratic senators – including Massachusetts ' Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota's Tina Smith – who have grown dissatisfied with Schumer’s negotiating style and his approach to candidate strategy ahead of November’s elections. Some progressive lawmakers – dubbed “Fight Club” – have even discussed countering Schumer-backed candidates in key races.

More at

www.rawstory.com/chuck-schumer-2676486920

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In the immortal words of Captain Picard... "Make it so"

[leftstreet]

1. I wonder why they'd leak this

Interesting

[Bread and Circuses]

3. Indeed...

There was also a ‘leak’ about the House Minority Leader earlier this week,

[yellow dahlia]

2. Don't wait until the midterms.

I don't know who the majority of the caucus would vote for, but I think Chris van Hollen might be good at the job. He's smart and creative and reacts to the circumstances. I also think he has demeanor that can herd the cats.

I want them to keep Chris Murphy right where he is - screaming from the rooftops that we have a democracy to save.

[fujiyamasan]

4. Interesting... some of these senate races have become proxy wars

On behalf of Jeffries and Schumer, and those against them. I don’t think it’s as as easy as simply labeling this fight as liberal wing vs centrist either. Take Minnesota for example. Angie Craig has won several endorsements from various progressive LGBTQ orgs and unions as well as Pete Buttigieg, Tammy Baldwin and several other senators, though she has also received AIPAC’s endorsement. She’s considered the more moderate candidate, but probably also the more ‘establishment’ candidate in this case.

Craig’s opponent Flanagan has advocated to abolish ICE and has received the endorsement of several such as Bernie sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Chris Murphy and outgoing Minnesota senator Tina smith. Craig also voted for that stupid ‘we appreciate ice’ resolution. I think that race is a good gauge of where the party is at especially after ICE’s actions in that state. Democrats are heavily favored to win the election there but it’s clear schumer’s grip on power depends on that primary among a few others.

[bigtree]

5. old enough to remember when the conservative 'blue dogs' did this to Pelosi

...I'll bet they don't have enough support, but will just keep up the backbiting like they're doing more to advance party priorities than just turning the playschool steering wheel on the play station.

[Scrivener7]

19. Sure. Because Liz Warren, Chris Murphy and Tina Smith are all about that "playschool steering wheel."

[usonian]

6. I have zero interest in personality politics. I want winners. That is all.

Indivisible and Bernie Sanders are backing non-establishment candidates. I don't re-post those positions (just once I did) rather than push DU rules on primaries.

[Skittles]

7. winners

not BS

[C Moon]

8. We don't need infighting at this time.

[Fil1957]

9. If these were normal times, Schumer would be fine as Democratic leader in the Senate. But we do not live in such times,

and Schumer has been unwilling or unable to adapt. We need a new leader. One who understands the gravity of the situation. One who will fight and call out the Republicans loudly and in strong precise language whenever they do Trump's and the fascist's bidding.

We need a leader with a strategy. Rolling over and surrendering to the Republicans is not a strategy.

Schumer is of a different era. He doesn't understand the gravity of the current moment and never will.

[wnylib]

10. So who is your choice?

[Scrivener7]

16. Chris Murphy.

[Skittles]

12. that guy will never give up power

nope

[LostOne4Ever]

13. My thoughts exactly

It feels like he is running a strategy from 1996 when Clinton was president rather than 2026.

[Intractable]

15. There was never a time that he was a strong leader.

[Scrivener7]

17. He had Nancy to run interference. She was often the one talking, he the one nodding next to her.

[W_HAMILTON]

11. "It's not just that you give us something to vote AGAINST, but something to vote FOR!"

Who is offering to step up and be the new whipping boy in place of Schumer? And how will their leadership substantially -- as opposed to performatively -- differ from Schumer's? Because more fiery speeches won't tide people over for long once they realize that they aren't being accompanied by different tactics, and fact of the matter is there isn't much that can be done that Schumer hasn't already been doing.

He was dealt a shit hand by the voters and now is taking more shit from them because there's little that can be done with the little power they've given him.

[Scrivener7]

18. Chris Murphy would be excellent. You talk as if we have no bench. We have an awesome bench. We need to let them play.

[BlueNProud]

14. He's a huge liability.

[newdeal2]

20. Show me the votes

I’d love to believe this. But this sounds like a few grumbles being blown up. If we do somehow gain seats in the Senate, I’m betting that the Dem makeup will be about the same or potentially more centrist which favors Schumer.