“I have my ups and downs with Chuck, like many Democrats do,” Warner said at a Politico Live event. “But, I am amazed that nobody works harder. Nobody spends more time fundraising. I can’t think of a worse job than being a Democratic or Republican leader.”
DEMOCRATS’ SILENCE IS DEAFENING WHEN IT COMES TO BACKING SCHUMER
When asked again if the Democratic caucus should reelect Schumer as its leader after the midterm elections, Warner simply replied, “Do I look stupid?” He gave the sly remark, echoing the same statement he made earlier when asked if he would rather chair the Senate banking committee in the next session.
“I’ve got to get rehired first. I’m not going to give away anything,” Warner said earlier in the live interview.
Schumer has been facing mounting backlash from his own party, from concerns over how he has handled the Department of Homeland Security shutdown to how the establishment is responding to primary challenges from younger, more leftist candidates.
Several Democrats have wavered or remained silent when it comes to supporting their caucus’s current leader, with Warner being the latest.
Though he deflected on Schumer’s reelection as Senate Minority Leader, Warner did say that if the 2026 midterm elections favor Democratic candidates, the party may view Schumer in a more positive light.
DEMOCRATS MAP OUT NARROW SENATE PATH AS PARTY TESTS CONFIDENCE AGAINST TOUGH TERRAIN
“If Democrats do win this time and come back, when brilliant political reporters like you nine months ago thought there was not a chance in hell — I think a lot of the critique of Chuck will go away. Because he did do a lot of the recruitment, and, along with [Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)], has done a lot of the fundraising,” Warner said.
Pundits largely consider the Senate balance to be in Republicans’ favor when it comes to the 2026 midterm elections. The current balance of the Senate is 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and 2 Independents who caucus with the Democrats.
