Chuck Schumer faces opposition

The Hill -  Questions are growing about Sen. Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) future as an increasing number of Democratic candidates say they will not support his bid for another term as Senate Democratic leader. Progressive critics of the Democratic establishment are calling for a leadership shake-up in Washington as their candidates win Senate Democratic primaries in Illinois, Maine, Michigan and Minnesota.

These candidates have the backing of progressive Democratic senators in Schumer’s caucus. They say the party has become too aligned with corporate interests and is not fighting hard enough to increase taxes on the wealthy and expand the social safety net.

Progressive candidates Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota and Troy Jackson in Maine, who are all running as Democratic Senate nominees, say they will not vote for Schumer as leader.

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who won the Democratic primary to succeed retiring Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), said in March she won’t vote for Schumer to serve another term because “voters all across the state of Illinois” are “fed up with what’s happening in Washington.”

Even so, Senate Democratic insiders say Schumer, who is 75, is likely to remain as Democratic leader. Schumer is hailed by these voices as a tireless worker and prodigious fundraiser for his party and colleagues.