1. United States
2. Conn.
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent in New Haven to ask you to vote against Chuck Schumer when Senate Democrats choose their leader for the next Congress, and to push for a genuinely contested leadership election. Tuesday's results were a remarkable win, and I credit everyone who worked for it. But a new majority is a mandate to deliver, not a vote for the status quo. Voters chose candidates who promised to fight harder and change how Washington works. At least seven incoming Democratic senators, including Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota, Troy Jackson of Maine, Juliana Stratton of Illinois, Adam Hamilton of Kansas and Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, have said they want new leadership or will not commit to Senator Schumer. Their voters elected them knowing that. The last two years also argue for change. In March 2025, Senator Schumer voted to advance a Republican funding bill without winning anything in return. Last November, the record-long shutdown ended when eight members of the caucus broke away, without the health care subsidy extension Democrats had been fighting for. Too often the caucus has looked divided and reactive at the moments it most needed to be united and on offense. The next two years matter enormously for families here in Connecticut: on health care, on the cost of living, and on holding this administration accountable. I want the Senate majority led by someone who will set a bold agenda and keep the caucus together to pass it. I respectfully ask that you: 1 Vote against Senator Schumer in the caucus leadership election. 2 Support an open, contested race in which every candidate lays out an agenda before the vote. 3 Let your constituents know where you stand before the caucus votes. Thank you for your service to Connecticut and for considering my views. I look forward to your reply.