Schumer had a plan to win back the Senate. But some Democrats aren’t on board

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks at a forum on climate change and the consequences for home insurance, grocery prices, and health care costs, at the Capitol in Washington, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/J.

Scott Applewhite, File) 2026-03-31T04:09:09Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats’ hopes of reclaiming the U.S.

Senate are colliding with a fight within their own party.

In Maine, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has thrown his weight behind Gov.

Janet Mills in a crucial race, but some of his Senate colleagues are backing insurgent candidate Graham Platner in a rebuke of his strategic vision.

A similar dynamic is playing out in other battlegrounds, including Michigan and Minnesota, where progressives senators are endorsing non-establishment candidates.

At stake is more than any single race.

Democrats are fighting over whether the party’s traditional playbook still works in a country that elected Donald Trump for a second time — and whether leaders like Schumer should remain in charge. “Clearly there’s a disagreement of strategy here,” said New Mexico Sen.

Martin Heinrich, who has endorsed Platner.

He added that “the business-as-usual calculation for what is going to be successful in a given election cycle does not necessarily, in my view, meet the moment.” The divide reflects a Democratic base frustrated after the last presidential election, when President Joe Biden ran for a second term despite widespread concerns about his age.

He dropped out and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump.

Nan Whaley, a Democratic strategist in Ohio who ran for governor four years ago, said the debate is no longer about progressive or moderate. “It’s really about, who do you trust?

Establishment or not establishment,” she said. “And frankly, the establishment hasn’t given us a lot to trust these past few years.” ‘A rebuke of Schumer’ In Maine, Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, or DSCC, have backed Mills, a 78-year-old moderate in her second term.

Platner, a veteran and oyster farmer, quickly won the backing of Sen.

Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., just days after launching his campaign.

His bid has since gained momentum despite scrutiny over past controversial comments and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol.

In recent weeks, Heinrich, Arizona Sen.

Ruben Gallego and Massachusetts Sen.

Elizabeth Warren have endorsed Platner as he builds support on Capitol Hill.

Heinrich and Rhode Island Sen.

Sheldon Whitehouse held

原文链接: AP News