HARTFORD, Conn. — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut on Monday declined to endorse Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York to become the next Senate majority leader, saying Democrats need a conversation about who leads them.

"We need a conversation about leadership going forward because we need new energy and ideas," Blumenthal told reporters, according to News 12 Connecticut political reporter John Craven.

Blumenthal, a Democrat, is the latest in his party to stop short of backing Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since 2017. Democrats are set to take control of Congress in January, and Schumer is expected to become majority leader, Common Dreams reported. At least seven Democratic senators-elect have signaled or said outright that they will not support him, according to reporting by Al Jazeera cited in that story.

Schumer has said he does not expect a challenge. Asked on The New York Times podcast "The Daily" whether he expected one in the election for majority leader, he answered, "No."

Blumenthal's comments mark a shift from last year. In March 2025, after Schumer drew backlash from fellow Democrats for supporting a Republican spending bill to keep the government open, Blumenthal said "almost everyone" in the caucus supported Schumer staying in his post, The Hill reported.

Senate Democrats choose their leader by a vote of their caucus, not on the Senate floor.