Van Hollen moved to challenge Schumer for Senate Democratic leader

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland is preparing to challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York for Senate Democratic leader, opening a direct fight over the party’s direction after its recent defeats. The move would put one of the caucus’s more outspoken liberals against a veteran leader who has led Senate Democrats for years. A contest could become a referendum on Schumer’s strategy and his standing with rank-and-file Democrats as the party debates how aggressively to oppose Republicans and rebuild before the next election cycle.