Another high-profile Democrat is calling on Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to resign as the party leader faces mounting criticism over his decision to vote to advance a GOP spending bill.
Democratic Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow, who is considering jumping into the state’s Democratic primary for the open Senate seat, said Schumer should step down from his leadership post in an interview with POLITICO published Tuesday morning. McMorrow’s admission that she would not vote for Schumer for conference leader if elected to the Senate comes as the Democratic Party is engaged in bitter infighting over how to resist President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.
“[I] think that what I’m seeing in elected leaders, frankly, in both parties, who it almost feels like stepping back is a sign of weakness and a failure,” McMorrow told POLITICO. “Chuck Schumer has dedicated his life to public service and fought a lot of really great fights, and it can be time to step back.”
“I would look for other leadership who understands that it’s a different moment,” McMorrow added. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for [Democratic California Rep.] Nancy Pelosi, who, similarly, while still in Congress, recognized it is time to have new leadership who can build up that muscle to respond to the moment.”
McMorrow joined with former Speaker Pelosi, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, far-left activist groups and an array of congressional Democrats in criticizing Schumer’s decision to stave off a government shutdown by voting to advance a GOP government funding measure. Democratic lawmakers previously warned about the consequences of letting government funding lapse during prior shutdown fights.
“There’s still this idea that Democrats and Republicans are still abiding by the same rules and still believe in the same norms and systems and structure,” McMorrow told POLITICO. “There seems to be a lack of recognition that this is no longer the Republican Party. This is a MAGA party. And the same approach is not going to work.”
“[Y]ou either fight for a future or you don’t,” McMorrow continued. “And that isn’t about whether a party moves left or right or center. It’s just, is there a future or not, and how do you fight for it?”
Though Schumer is expected to keep his leadership post, prominent Democratic lawmakers have not refrained from criticizing the party leader. Democratic Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet opened the door to Schumer’s resignation, telling constituents at a town hall on March 20 that “it’s important for people to know when it’s time to go.”
As the Democratic Party grapples with its approval rating nearing record lows, Democratic leaders are also split on how to address the party’s left-wing stances on cultural issues that voters appeared to reject at the ballot box in November. California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has notably attempted to shift his views on transgender issues to the ideological center despite his left-wing governing record, arguing on his podcast on March 6 that protecting women’s sports is an “issue of fairness.”
McMorrow, conversely, appeared to double down on the party’s left-wing views on cultural issues, such as allowing biological males to compete in girls and women’s sports, that a majority of voters oppose, according to recent polling.
Approximately 79% of Americans oppose biological males competing in women’s sports, according to a New York Times-Ipsos survey conducted between Jan. 2 and Jan. 10.
“Throughout history, there has always been a scapegoat, and nothing about that is different,” McMorrow told POLITICO. “Now, whether it’s in Nazi Germany with Jews, whether it’s the pushback against desegregation and unwillingness to integrate our schools, to attacks on the LGBTQ community.”
“Democrats too often take the bait and are having the debate Republicans want us to have, instead of pointing out that for all of the time and energy — these executive orders, these bills that are being introduced, the bill signing on girls and sports — none of that actually does anything to improve most people’s lives, and it’s just another scapegoat.”
McMorrow’s decision to weigh a Senate bid comes after two-term Democratic Michigan Sen. Gary Peters announced he would not seek reelection in February. McMorrow notably reached out to Senate Democrats’ campaign arm following Peters’ announcement, according to her interview with POLITICO.
Democratic Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens is also considering jumping into the Senate primary. Former Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a relatively new Michigan resident, notably ruled out entering the contest.
A spokesperson for Schumer did not respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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