It’s an odd political phenomenon that a sitting president often loses the next midterm elections after taking office, instantly creating potential gridlock in the next Congress instead of moving the country forward. The 2026 midterms were no different, except it was a much bigger victory than anyone could have predicted, with a full congressional flip.
The American people delivered a referendum on Trumpism, overwhelmingly voting for affordability over every other issue. But we also voted for accountability and change, and now all of my social media feeds are full of liberal voters demanding to see both.
But not just for Trump and his cronies.
People want a change in Democratic leadership in both the House and the Senate. Trump has made a tremendous mess for Democrats to clean up, and they now have the chance to start in January 2027 instead of having to wait until January 2029. But the current leadership doesn’t strike fear in the hearts of MAGA, and that’s a huge problem for the Democrats.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has been under extra scrutiny for taking AIPAC donations and for his recent secret meetings with “his friend” Jared Kushner, who’s no friend to any Democrats. Jeffries has also played down the calls for Trump’s third impeachment, claiming that “the American people don’t want us to get even; they want us to get things done on their behalf.”
WRONG, sir. VERY WRONG. We’ve been living under the blight of Trump’s criminality for far too long, and we want justice.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is also incredibly unpopular with voters (he’s currently polling at a historically low 13%), and the demands for his replacement are far louder than the ones to remove Jeffries. Schumer has been weak on Israel and has also accepted millions from AIPAC, which is why many of the new incoming Democratic Senators have already stated they won’t support him for Senate Majority Leader.
In an aisle-crossing interview on Fox News last Thursday, South Carolina’s first Democratic female Senator-elect, Dr. Annie Andrews, told Bret Baier that the party needs new leadership. When asked whether she would support Schumer, she replied, “I still very much believe it’s time for generational change on both sides of the aisle.”
Abdul El-Sayed, the senator-elect from Michigan, has repeatedly declined to support Schumer and reiterated his stance on CNN that he wanted to “consider other options.”
Other incoming Democrats who have also declined to support Schumer include James Talarico (TX), Adam Hamilton (KS), Juliana Stratton (IL), Chris Pappas (NH), Peggy Flanagan (MN), and Troy Jackson (ME).
Personally, I think it’s beyond time to put women in both of those leadership roles. Nancy Pelosi is the first and only woman to have served as the speaker of the House. My choice for the next speaker is Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who represents the younger and more progressive arm of the Democratic Party and triggers MAGA big time.
However, Rep. AOC has said she doesn’t want the gig and is supporting Jeffries. But I’m still advocating for a woman in that role. At least we have a Democratic woman looking to take over as House Majority Leader: Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, the current House Minority Whip, who should have plenty of support and be able to easily take over that position in January.
Over in the Senate, it’s unconscionable that it’s 2026 and there’s never been a female Majority Leader. There are currently 16 Democratic women in the Senate; although we’re losing Sen. Amy Klobuchar to the governorship of Minnesota, we’re gaining Peggy Flanagan in her seat, as well as Dr. Andrews in Lindsey Graham’s former seat when she’s sworn in. While I’d be happy to see any of the more experienced women as Senate Majority Leader, my favorite is Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who’s been triggering Trump and MAGA forever, indicated by their terrible and racist nickname for her. One of Trump’s biggest tells is that he mostly bullies those he perceives as threats in his attempts to minimize them, so once you understand that, it’s easy to figure out who belongs in more prominent roles.
At 77, Warren is a centrist who also pulls in progressives. She brings decades of experience in holding Republicans accountable, and her work on the Senate Banking Committee is just part of the proof.
As of press time, neither Schumer nor Jeffries are being challenged, something I brought up to my Senator, Ron Wyden (D-OR), who held an invite-only Blazers watch party on Friday night in Portland that also acted as a “mini-Town Hall” for the assembled guests. When “Sen. Chutzpah” opened the floor to questions, he called on me first. I brought up the overwhelming demands for Schumer to be replaced, and Wyden replied that he would support “any efforts to make BOLD MOVES” in the Senate. He obviously couldn’t come right out and say so, but I think he would support a challenge, especially from a woman.
Congressional Democrats would be wise to pay attention to the voice of the people, which was on full display at a huge protest in New York’s Times Square on Saturday that drew thousands, including the infamous Naked Cowboy.
I could hand Democrats a laundry list of things to take care of after they literally get our House (and Senate) in order, and I will in future columns. But before the new Congress can be sworn in, Democrats need to finally take my advice and hire a Democratic Press Secretary to hold daily briefings. After Trump’s premature announcement on Saturday that the UFC’s Dana White has been offered the job as White House Press Secretary, MAGA went nuts, immediately embracing the idea.
Turns out, it was probably Defense Department advisor Dana White who was suggested to Trump.
That certainly would make for some great opening line material on the first day on the job, as Democrats need to wrench the narrative back from the lies coming from the White House.
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