Chris Van Hollen has spent more than two decades in American politics, serving in Maryland’s legislature, the US House of Representatives and the Senate. Now, the Maryland senator wants to replace Chuck Schumer as the leader of Senate Democrats following the party’s victory in the 2026 midterm elections.
Van Hollen announced his candidacy on November 12, 2026, arguing that American voters had demanded a change in political leadership.
His decision sets up a contest against Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since 2017.
Although Van Hollen is not a newcomer to Washington politics, his challenge has placed him at the centre of an important debate about the Democratic Party’s future.
Here are five things to know about the senator.
1. He was born in Pakistan
Chris Van Hollen was born on January 10, 1959, in Karachi, Pakistan, to American parents.
His father, Christopher Van Hollen Sr., worked in the United States Foreign Service. This meant that the family spent several years outside America.
Van Hollen’s childhood included time in India and Sri Lanka before his family returned to the United States.
He attended Kodaikanal International School in India and later Middlesex School in Massachusetts.
2. He studied at Swarthmore, Harvard and Georgetown
Van Hollen attended Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1982.
He subsequently obtained a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in 1985.
In 1990, he earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
His education in philosophy, public policy and law preceded his entry into public office.
3. He began his political career in Maryland
Before entering national politics, Van Hollen served in Maryland’s state legislature.
He was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1990 and subsequently served in the Maryland Senate.
During his time in the legislature, he became involved in issues including environmental protection, education and government policy.
His experience at the state level provided a foundation for his eventual move to Washington.
4. He spent 14 years in the US House of Representatives
Van Hollen was elected to represent Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the US House of Representatives in 2002.
He served until January 2017, when he moved to the Senate.
His congressional career included important Democratic Party responsibilities. He chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 2007 to 2011, helping coordinate efforts to elect Democrats to the House.
He also served in Democratic leadership and held a senior position on the House Budget Committee.
5. He became a senator in 2017 and now wants to lead Democrats
Van Hollen won election to the US Senate in November 2016 and assumed office in January 2017. He succeeded retiring senator Barbara Mikulski as Maryland’s senator.
He has served on influential committees, including Appropriations, Foreign Relations and Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
His national profile grew further in April 2025 when he travelled to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who had been deported from the United States.
The meeting attracted national attention amid disagreements over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
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Now, Van Hollen wants to take over from Schumer as the leader of Senate Democrats.
He argues that the party needs fresh leadership and a more assertive approach to its political agenda. His candidacy has received support from prominent figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders and incoming Michigan senator Abdul El-Sayed.
However, Schumer has maintained that he has enough support to retain the position.
The Democratic senators are scheduled to elect their next leader through a secret-ballot vote on December 1, 2026.
The contest could determine who leads the party’s legislative agenda when Democrats take control of the Senate in January 2027.