Washington DC - Senator Chris Van Hollen said Thursday he would challenge Chuck Schumer for his job as Democratic Senate leader, aiming to bring fresh leadership to the upper chamber of Congress after the Democrats' thumping midterms victory.

The announcement from the progressive senator sets up an internal party clash days after the Democrats crushed President Donald Trump's Republicans to reclaim control of both chambers of Congress.

"In this election, Americans called on us to unrig an economy rigged against working people & fueled by political corruption. To deliver, we need new leadership," Van Hollen (67) wrote on X.

"That's why I'm running for Senate Majority Leader."

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Long-term Democratic Senate leader Schumer (75) has faced calls from some in his party to step aside for new leadership after it reclaimed control of the 100-seat chamber in the November 3 elections, but Van Hollen is the first senator to openly challenge him.

Van Hollen has support from some of the more vocal progressives within the party.

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, said this week that he would not support Schumer in continuing his role.

Newly-elected Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan posted on X that he backed Van Hollen.

Schumer said he welcomed discussion about the future of the party, but insisted: "I have the votes to continue serving as the Democratic Leader."

"I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and delivering for the American people," he wrote on X.