Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) projected confidence that Democrats can reclaim the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections in an interview released Saturday, arguing the party now has multiple paths to a majority as it seeks a net gain of four seats.Schumer’s optimism comes as Democrats navigate a series of high-profile Senate races that could determine control of the chamber and expose broader ideological tensions within the party.“Big picture — we’re sticking it to them and winning,” Schumer told Punchbowl News. “We are poised to take back the Senate. We needed multiple paths. No one thought Iowa or Texas would be part of the path — but it is.”
In Michigan, Schumer effectively endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) in the state’s competitive Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). While Schumer had privately favored Stevens, his public declaration marked his clearest signal yet in the three-way contest against state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former health official Abdul El-Sayed.
“I think she has the best chance to win,” Schumer said of Stevens.
El-Sayed has been endorsed by a slate of notable progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and left-wing political influencer Hasan Piker. McMorrow has received endorsements from Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Peter Welch (D-VT), as well as state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks.
