Senate Democrats are gearing up for a debate over whether Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer should continue to lead their caucus, but the rebellion is headed nowhere until someone steps up to challenge him.
The desire for a new top Democrat is growing, even as Mr. Schumer moves quickly to lock down supporters.
Sen. Bernard Sanders, a leading voice for the socialist wing of the Democratic Party, on Tuesday became the first returning senator to say he will not back Mr. Schumer for majority leader.
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“This election was about change. People want new leadership here in the Senate, so I will not be supporting Chuck,” said Mr. Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with the Democrats.
Asked if he would maintain that position if Mr. Schumer runs unopposed, he said, “Well, he’s not going to run unopposed, I don’t think.”
Mr. Sanders is not interested in the majority leader job. Nor is Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a more centrist Democrat who joined Mr. Sanders at a press conference on Tuesday calling for new leadership.
Until Tuesday, those calls had come exclusively from newly elected Democrats: Annie Andrews of South Carolina, Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota, Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Troy Jackson of Maine and Juliana Stratton of Illinois.
The only Democrat openly considering a challenge to Mr. Schumer is Sen. Chris Van Hollen.
The Maryland Democrat initially said he would not run for Senate leadership as he considers a 2028 presidential bid but has since reopened the door, saying he is “actively listening” to people floating him as a Schumer alternative.
“We should not have a coronation,” Mr. Van Hollen said. “We should not support anybody for leader without a very clear plan. And as you know, there are many people who think that change is required.”
Ms. Slotkin said she had a “productive conversation” with Mr. Van Hollen on Monday but did not commit to backing him if he runs.
“Whoever wants my vote is going to have to show me a concrete plan that’s definitively different,” she said.
Ms. Slotkin said she wants any majority leader candidate to explain what they’re going to do in the first 100 days of the new Congress “to put money in people’s pockets,” as well as how they will govern and communicate in response to voter demands for change.
If Mr. Schumer ultimately is the only person who runs for majority leader, Ms. Slotkin suggested Democrats withhold a quorum needed to elect him to the post until he communicates an adequate plan.
Outside calls for new leadership are growing as well, as the leader of one of the largest trade and industrial unions sent a letter to Mr. Schumer suggesting he step aside.
Brian Bryant, International president of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said “Working people are demanding change” and “a political system that puts working families ahead of wealthy special interests.”
“Doing so will require fresh ideas, new energy and a new generation of leadership,” he said.
Mr. Schumer, who has led Democrats for the past decade in both the majority and minority, is running and not showing visible signs of worry about a challenge.
“I’m confident I will be elected majority leader,” he said Tuesday when asked about Mr. Sanders and Ms. Slotkin opposing his bid. “Our caucus is really united in focusing on bringing down costs, on ending the corruption, on ending the chaos, on ending the war.”
Several Democrats have said they support Mr. Schumer returning as majority leader.
“When the manager takes you to the World Series, you give him another contract,” said Sen. Ruben Gallego, Arizona Democrat. “And this has been a really good election cycle for us.”
Other Democrats backing Mr. Schumer include Sens. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Kirsten E. Gillibrand of New York, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, and Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island. Independent Sen. Angus S. King of Maine, who caucuses with the Democrats, also backs Mr. Schumer.
Returning Sen. Sherrod Brown, whom Mr. Schumer convinced to run this cycle after his 2024 loss, is also supportive.
Mr. Schumer is not out of the woods yet, however, as several Democrats declined to commit to reelecting him without further conversation.
“We’re not there yet. The caucus is still having an intense conversation,” said Sen. Alex Padilla, California Democrat.
Sen. Peter Welch, Vermont Democrat, said Mr. Schumer has done a good job, but he wants to see some changes.
“The new members who electrified the nation with their victories, including in deep Trump districts, need to be more of the face of our party,” he said. “And I’m urging Schumer to make sure that those folks are front and center.”
Correction: An earlier version of this report incorrectly identified the party affiliation of Sen. Angus S. King. He is an independent who caucuses with the Democrats.
• Kerry Picket contributed to this report.
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