Union Endorses Van Hollen for Senate Majority Leader
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers backed Sen. Chris Van Hollen's bid to challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer for the post.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Unions
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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, with around 600,000 members, endorsed Sen. Chris Van Hollen for Senate majority leader on Thursday. Van Hollen announced later that night he would challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer for the post.
Why it matters
Van Hollen says he has the support of more than 10 of the 55 Democratic senators and senators-elect, and the contest will decide who leads Senate Democrats. Senate Democrats will vote by secret ballot, so the outcome in early December will determine the party's Senate leadership.
The IAM has about 600,000 members, and Van Hollen claims more than 10 of 55 Democratic senators and senators-elect support his bid. The actual vote count is not yet known, and the leadership ballot is set for early December.
The players
Chris Van Hollen
Democratic senator from Maryland who announced his challenge to Sen. Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader.
Chuck Schumer
Senate Democratic leader currently facing a challenge from Sen. Chris Van Hollen for the majority leader post.
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Labor union with around 600,000 members that endorsed Van Hollen for Senate majority leader, led by president Brian Bryant.
The details
Van Hollen announced his challenge to Schumer on social media late Thursday, and the IAM endorsement was issued the same day. Supporters include Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed, and RootsAction, which says it has more than a million online supporters, plans to build on its campaign urging Van Hollen to run. RootsAction called Schumer unacceptable as Senate Democratic leader, while Van Hollen said Americans called for unrigging an economy rigged against working people.
Timeline
Thursday: IAM issues endorsement of Van Hollen for majority leader.
Late Thursday: Van Hollen announces his run for majority leader on social media.
Friday: RootsAction announces plans to build on its campaign urging Van Hollen to run.
Early December: Senate Democrats are scheduled to vote for majority leader by secret ballot.
Need to Know
Senate Democrats choose their leader by secret ballot following each election, and this challenge to Schumer tests that process directly. The contest reflects ongoing pressure from labor groups and progressive organizations on the caucus's leadership.
The outcome will determine who sets the Senate Democratic agenda and leads negotiations for the caucus. For voters, it signals how the party's leadership and its alignment with labor and progressive groups may shift.
The takeaway
Leadership contests within the Senate caucus are decided by internal ballot, so public endorsements from groups like the IAM can signal the coalitions forming behind each candidate. Watching the December vote will show whether those endorsements translate into votes.
What happens next
Senate Democrats are scheduled to vote for majority leader by secret ballot in early December.
Further reading
For broader labor coverage, see the Unions section.
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