Amid Schumer Backlash, Here’s Who’s Vying to Lead Democrats

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It has never been clearer that the Democratic Party—encompassing both its activists and core members—is eager for a showdown. The party’s internal conflict erupted last week after Chuck Schumer collaborated with Republicans to push through a partisan spending bill, much to the dismay of numerous Democratic Senators. This situation presents a pivotal opportunity for influential Democrats to articulate a vision that could elevate their party from its current state of near-obscurity.

The atmosphere feels ripe for a release of long-standing frustrations. However, the implications of this moment could be minimal.

Recent polls indicate that Democrats are facing a critical juncture. Their public image is at an unprecedented low. Only 29% of Americans view the party favorably, marking a 20-point decline since January 2021, when Trump departed office and Biden stepped in, according to this week’s CNN poll. Furthermore, just 63% of party members maintain a positive perception of their own organization.

Most telling is what party loyalists desire from their leaders. A staggering 57% of Democrats believe the party should primarily focus on obstructing the Republican agenda, a significant shift from the 23% who favored opposition as a key goal during Trump’s first year. It’s important to note that this isn’t 2017; the current conflict has taken on a distinctly different tone. While the Resistance may not be mobilizing as it did during Trump’s presidency, the demand for a stronger opposition is evidently present.

This fervor for confrontation does not appear to be a fleeting sentiment. The CNN survey was conducted just before a group of nearly a dozen Senate Democrats, led by Schumer, aided Republicans in averting a government shutdown. The intense discussions surrounding that contentious vote are now shaping the narrative about how Democrats should advance. For the party’s leading figures—many of whom are positioning themselves for the 2028 presidential race—their response to Schumer’s controversial decision may carry significant weight.

Consider Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who has been subtly making the rounds in anticipation of 2028. On Tuesday, he visited the Center for American Progress for a session aimed at navigating the challenges of the second Trump era. When asked about supporting Schumer’s vote to keep the government funded, Pritzker opted not to endorse it.

“Look, he’s the elected leader,” Pritzker stated. “I disagree with what he did, and vehemently so. But I also recognize that he has accomplished good work as a Senate leader in other respects.” This diplomatic response may serve him well in New Hampshire, where he is already a recognizable figure ahead of the state’s pivotal Democratic Party fundraiser next month.

In contrast to Pritzker’s cautious stance on Schumer, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been unyielding in her criticism of his actions. Even before Schumer formalized his partnership with the GOP on the spending proposal, she was already discussing the potential for a primary challenge against him in 2028. Even centrist Democrats are beginning to entertain the prospect of what a Senator Ocasio-Cortez might look like.

Across the political landscape, there is palpable anxiety regarding the party’s direction. Representative Glenn Ivey of Maryland has publicly called for Schumer’s resignation, and he may not be alone if the situation continues to deteriorate. Once more mainstream lawmakers’ consultants demonstrate through polling that this stance is not perilous, many others are likely to join him.

Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom is attempting to expand his appeal, albeit in ways that may be perceived as either strategic or misguided. He called for Senate Democrats to allow a government shutdown instead of conceding to Republicans on a budget that would impose severe cuts, while also defending his recent friendly exchanges with conservative figures like Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk. “After the last election, we all agreed that it’s vital for Democrats to explore new and innovative ways of engaging with people,” Newsom communicated to supporters via email. (Perhaps this approach explains why, according to a new book, Trump was reportedly intimidated by the prospect of facing the California Governor if he had replaced Biden on the ticket last year.)

For liberals who have distanced themselves from Newsom, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz might be a more appealing figure. While Republicans are avoiding town halls to dodge confrontational constituents, Walz is actively engaging with House districts held by Republican incumbents. Recently, he posed the question to an audience in Omaha regarding Senate Democrats and the government shutdown: “I sense that a large number of people wish they had voted against this. Is that accurate?” The crowd responded with hearty applause.

However, Walz, who tends to excel when given the freedom to campaign on his terms, remained firmly pragmatic. “Chuck understands, and others recognize, that a shutdown carries significant consequences,” Walz told a local NPR station. This pragmatic approach was also evident during an earlier stop in Des Moines, where he implied that searching for the party’s next leader may be futile. “There isn’t going to be a charismatic leader swooping in to solve this. It will require people actively participating on a beautiful Friday afternoon, demanding change and holding leaders accountable.”

Numerous other figures seem more preoccupied with staking their claims for the 2028 election than with advancing the party’s agenda. Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently hosted a high-profile dinner with Washington insiders, while former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg opted out of a Senate run in Michigan last week. All eyes remain on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who stepped in for Biden late in the 2024 campaign, has indicated that she will likely announce her intentions regarding a 2028 run by the end of the summer.

This ongoing jockeying is contributing to the simmering tension within the Democratic Party as it grapples with how to effectively oppose the Republican agenda. Trump will undoubtedly continue to be a significant factor in the political landscape for the foreseeable future. Unlike the Republicans, who recently signaled their commitment to 2028 by appointing Vice President J.D. Vance as the Republican National Committee’s chief fundraiser, Democrats lack a cohesive strategy for navigating the upcoming months, let alone the midterms or the 2028 elections. Without a unified approach, their time in the political wilderness will largely be influenced by Trump and his supporters. As internal discord persists, all that the weary electorate observes is a party rife with discussions about confronting Trump, yet lacking a clear plan to achieve that goal.