The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has urged Senator Chuck Schumer, 75, to relinquish his position as leader of the Senate Democrats. The union, which states it has 600,000 members, sent a letter to Schumer asking him to step aside.
The letter addressed to “Dear Leader Schumer,” reported by POLITICO, states in part that after discussions with the IAM Union Executive Council, the organization believes “this is the right moment for a new generation to lead Senate Democrats.” It adds that Democrats require “fresh ideas, new energy and a new generation of leadership” to capitalize on their midterm election gains. The letter closes by expressing “deep respect and gratitude for your leadership and all you have accomplished” and states that the union looks forward to continuing to work with Schumer “as a valued friend and champion of working families.”
POLITICO reports that Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen and Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin could mount challenges when Senate Democrats meet on Tuesday. Senator-elect Adam Hamilton of Kansas described Schumer as a “divisive figure” on NBC’s Meet the Press and said Democrats should select a different leader. Far-left Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has publicly opposed Schumer and indicated he intends to support Van Hollen. Minnesota Democratic Socialists of America-aligned Peggy Flanagan has not announced a preference.
Grassroots Protests.
In Manhattan on Saturday, Schumer’s traditional power base, protesters called on Democrats not to return Schumer or Representative Hakeem Jeffries to leadership posts. Their signs included the message “We didn’t vote for status quo, let’s ‘chuck’ Schumer + Jeffries.”
Schumer has led Senate Democrats, serving as both majority and minority leader, for the past 12 years. The IAM letter marks the latest public campaign to pressure the elderly politician to leave his post following last week’s elections.
