Bernie Sanders says he will not back Schumer for Senate Democratic leader

Progressive senator says ‘I like Chuck … but the time is now for change’ as calls grow for new Democratic leadership

Bernie Sanders, a progressive senator from Vermont, said on Tuesday he would not support Chuck Schumer’s bid to serve as the Democratic leader in the US Senate, joining a growing cohort of Democrats calling for a change in leadership.

“I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck. Nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer. But in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be re-elected as the Democratic leader,” Sanders told reporters on Capitol Hill.