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By Anna Commander
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Petitions calling for Senate Democrats to choose a new majority leader, opposed to current Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have surpassed 100,000 signatures on Thursday.
The petitions, both created on Wednesday, come on the heels of sweeping Democratic wins this midterm cycle that saw the House and Senate flip in their favor. President Donald Trump attempted to distance himself from the blue wave, saying he wasn't on the ballot, but if he were, "we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!"
One petition titled "Senate Democrats: CHOOSE A NEW MAJORITY LEADER" has 43,446 verified signatures and says, "We believe Democratic leadership should represent Democratic voters, not just the Democratic establishment," and that Schumer is not the right choice.
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A second petition titled "Replace Chuck Schumer as Senate Majority Leader" had 75,402 verified signatures as of 9:23 p.m. ET Thursday. The petition says Schumer "folds when it matters," pointing to previous legislation. The petition highlights the new Democratic senators elected into office, like Maine's Troy Jackson and Kansas' Adam Hamilton, saying that they have publicly announced they won't back Schumer as leader.
The petition asks for every Democratic senator "to choose a leader who will fight for real progressive values."
On Wednesday, Schumer was asked about the newly elected candidates who say they won't back him: "The issue is not me. I'll be reelected as majority leader. But the issue is focusing on the American people and what they want.”
Newsweek reached out to Schumer's office on Thursday night for comment.
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What To Know
Other newly elected Democratic senators like South Carolina's Annie Andrews and Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed have been asked if they'd support Schumer as majority leader.
Andrews told Fox News' Bret Baier, "I believe it's time for a generational change on both sides of the aisle," when questioned about Schumer on Thursday.
Minnesota Senator-elect Peggy Flanagan said on Wednesday in part, “I think it’s time for new leadership.”
El-Sayed did not commit to backing Schumer and said that he would adamantly support Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, should he decide to pursue the position, while speaking with CNN's Kate Bolduan.
The petition titled "Replace Chuck Schumer as Senate Majority Leader" was started by Laura Ciocia, the change.org website says. It has over 21,000 shares and 600 comments. It calls out Schumer for opposing former President Barack Obama's Iran nuclear deal over a decade ago, and for reportedly taking pro-Israel lobby money.
The petition says progressives who want international law and human rights at the center of policy involving Gaza and Israel "cannot count on a leader funded this way."
OpenSecrets, a political transparency group, shows that from 1990-2024, Schumer was a "pro-Israel" recipient of $1,727,974.
The petition titled "Senate Democrats: CHOOSE A NEW MAJORITY LEADER" was started by Chris Sader, the website says, and has over 300 comments and nearly 9,000 shares.
Petition to Replace Hakeem Jeffries Hits Over 750,000
A similar change.org petition was launched calling for House Democrats not to back Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a bid for House speaker.
The petition, started by Nicole Whitted, had 762,343 verified signatures as of 9:10 p.m. ET Thursday, had been shared nearly 500,000 times and had over 15,000 comments. The petition says that "Nicole Whitted is a Change Ambassador who receives compensation in connection with this petition."
The petition says Jeffries is not the right choice for House majority leader, adding, "We are calling on every member of the incoming 120th Congress to vote against Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker in January 2027 and choose a different candidate."
Actor Mark Ruffalo, an outspoken supporter of progressive policies, posted the petition to his X account on Wednesday, adding, "Sign this petition if you want a new speaker of the house."
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins
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