Democrats win Senate control — live updates
Democrats were able to pick up the seats needed to gain control of the Senate, CBS News projects, and the party scored several upset victories in red states.
Key points
- Democrats will hold at least 54 Senate seats when Congress convenes in January.
- Chris Van Hollen said there should be no coronation in the majority leader selection.
- Van Hollen will not pursue the majority leadership post, an aide told CBS News.
Democrats will control at least 54 seats in the Senate when the new session of Congress convenes in January, following the party's strong midterm results this week. The party must now choose its Senate majority leader.
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said Saturday that Democrats should not rush that decision. Speaking at the Crooked Con political conference in Washington, D.C., he called for a full discussion within the Democratic Caucus before any leader is chosen.
Calls for an open process
Van Hollen said the caucus needs to understand what Democrats will do with their new responsibility and powers, and that no one should receive what he called a blank check. He said commitments on the Senate leadership races should be withheld until new members, who have just come off the campaign trail and been in direct contact with voters, can be heard.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has led the Senate Democratic Caucus since 2017. Several incoming Democratic senators-elect have signaled they want to see new leadership.
There should be no coronation
— Sen. Chris Van Hollen
Van Hollen rules himself out
A Van Hollen aide told CBS News on Friday that the Maryland senator will not pursue the majority leadership post.
