Democrats won back control of the Senate and the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections. This stunning result puts Chuck Schumer in line to become the next Senate majority leader. He served in that role in 2021 while Joe Biden was president. The win reverses a long period of bad news for the New York senator.
A few weeks prior, Schumer ranked among the least favored politicians within his state. Last November, merely 32% of New York voters held a favorable view of him. This figure represented his lowest approval rating across 21 years of Siena University surveys. In May, 52% of voters viewed him unfavorably. Even nationally, only 25% of Americans held a favorable view of him. Yet the election results have changed his path forward.
Sen. Schumer says he intends to deliver big time for his home state in the next session. He told the New York Post that helping his state has always been his main goal. “Helping New York has always been my North Star. And now we have a real chance on delivering that help with the majority,” Schumer said. He is the highest-ranking Jew in the US government. He faces re-election in 2028.
Some liberals had talked about trying to primary him if he runs again. Democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was testing the waters for a run. But Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand helped architect the party’s surge at the polls. The party secured upwards of 55 seats in the last week. This gives them a solid majority and offers a check on the second Trump administration.
Not all Democrats agree that Schumer is the right choice for this moment. Newly elected Kansas Sen. Adam Hamilton said he will not support Schumer for majority leader. Hamilton defeated a Republican in a state Trump won by 16 points. He told Kristen Welker on Meet the Press that Schumer is a polarizing figure. “You have said you’re not going to support Chuck Schumer as Senate [Majority] Leader,” Welker said. Hamilton replied that he sees a need for fresh ideas and a leader who can unite the party.
Republican Roger Marshall noted that Hamilton stated he would not back Schumer. “Why do you think Chuck Schumer’s not right for this moment?” Welker asked. Hamilton said he means no disrespect but feels the time has come for new leadership. He believes Schumer divides people rather than bringing them together. This split shows a clear debate within the party about who should lead.
Republicans are already warning that the new Democratic majority will go too far. Attorney General Todd Blanche said Democrats have crossed the line from oversight to threats. He spoke with CNN host Dana Bash about the rhetoric from the incoming majority. Blanche said they have threatened donors and individuals who might work for conservative groups. “That should be something that President Trump is very concerned about, and certainly I am as well,” Blanche said.
President Trump ordered the Department of Justice to investigate what he termed a criminal act. A Truth Social post from Saturday reads, “This is extortion at the highest level.” Blanche argued that talking about impeachments with no facts is not normal oversight. He welcomed actual oversight but said the current rhetoric is different. The incoming majority now holds the power to launch investigations immediately.
