Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has declined to endorse Chuck Schumer as the next Senate majority leader, saying he wants to consider other candidates following Democrats’ midterm election victories.
Speaking on NBC’s TODAY show on Wednesday, El-Sayed said he would support a leader committed to delivering meaningful policy changes.
“We need action. We need leadership toward that action. And I’m interested to see, working with the rest of our caucus, what options we’ve got,” El-Sayed said.
The Michigan Democrat said his decision would depend on which candidate could best advance his priorities, including campaign finance reform, economic relief and universal healthcare.
“A vote is a choice between two or more options, and I’m going to vote for the option that gives me the best chance at getting money out of politics, putting money in pockets, and passing ‘Medicare for All’,” he added.
El-Sayed has previously expressed support for Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen as a possible Senate majority leader.
His comments come amid questions over the Democratic Party’s leadership following its election gains.
Schumer, the current Senate minority leader, previously backed Haley Stevens during Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary.
However, he endorsed El-Sayed after the latter defeated Stevens to secure the party’s nomination.
