Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) declared Democrats would hold the Senate in an energetic speech before the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night.
“We’re going to hold the Senate again, and we’re poised to pick up seats,” Schumer said, mentioning the last election cycle when Democrats prevented a “red wave” in the upper chamber and expanded their majority.
The New York senator name dropped each of the endangered Democratic incumbents, mentioning Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Baldwin (R-WI), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). He also mentioned candidates in open races such as Ruben Gallego in Arizona and Elissa Slotkin in Michigan.
Currently, Democrats and the independents who caucus with them hold a narrow 51-seat majority in the chamber. Of the Senate Democrats up for reelection, seven are in states that went for former President Donald Trump in 2016, 2020, or both. There are no Republican seats up in states won by either Hillary Clinton in 2016 or President Joe Biden in 2020. Additionally, Democrats have more than twice as many Senate seats to defend in 2024 as Republicans.
The Senate majority leader also used his speech as an opportunity to praise the Democratic nominee for president, referencing their work in the Senate.
“Vice President Harris has been the best partner Senate Democrats could’ve asked for,” Schumer said. “Under her and President Biden’s leadership, Senate Democrats lowered prescription drug prices, and created millions of good-paying jobs.”
“I worked with Kamala Harris when she was Senator Harris, and I saw a leader who was fearless,” he added.
The New York senator closed out his speech by mentioning the rising antisemitism in the country. Schumer is set to release a new book next winter that will detail the topic.
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“As the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in American history, I want my grandkids—and all grandkids—to never face discrimination because of who they are,” Schumer said to applause lines in the crowd.
“I am wearing this blue square to stand up to antisemitism, to stand up to all hate,” Schumer said, motioning to his lapel, veering off his prepared remarks.
