Inside the Senate “Fight Club”: Liberal Lawmakers Rally to Challenge Schumer and Rethink 2026 Strategy

A group of Senate liberals has quietly organized to push back against the party's current direction, signaling growing unrest within Democratic ranks ahead of the 2026 midterms. Calling themselves the informal "Fight Club," the senators argue that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other senior leaders have relied too heavily on establishment choices, leaving progressive energy and younger voters disengaged.

Who's involved: Participants include several prominent liberal senators — Chris Van Hollen, Tina Smith, Chris Murphy, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley and Martin Heinrich. They say their aim is practical: develop a new playbook for candidate recruitment, fundraising and messaging that better reflects the priorities of the party's base.

The complaints: Members of the group have criticized Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for nudging donors and support toward perceived establishment picks — notably Angie Craig in Minnesota and Haley Stevens in Michigan — while sidelining more progressive contenders. When concerns were raised privately with leadership, participants say they were reassured there was no favoritism. That response, according to those involved, only deepened their frustration.

House unrest: The dissension is not limited to the Senate. Several House Democrats have publicly called for new leadership. Representative Pramila Jayapal said, "I think he should step down. They should get somebody new." Representative Yassamin Ansari urged that it's "past time to start thinking about new leadership for Senate Democrats that meets the moment." Representative Ayanna Pressley added that the current period "demands new leadership." Representative Ro Khanna posted on X that "Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced."

Coordinated action: Inside the Senate "Fight Club," members have discussed joint fundraising, coordinated endorsements and synchronized public appearances. Their first coordinated action was a video endorsing Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan over the establishment-backed Angie Craig — a move intended to demonstrate the group's willingness to back alternatives to the party's default choices.

What they want: The group's message is straightforward: if Democrats want to regain momentum, energize younger and disengaged voters, and present credible challengers in 2026, they need bolder strategy and more transparent decision-making about endorsements and donor influence. Supporters argue new tactics and risk-taking are necessary to restore trust with the party base.

Outlook: Whether the "Fight Club" will evolve into a lasting movement that changes leadership or candidates remains uncertain. What is clear is that public and private pressure from both chambers has increased scrutiny on Schumer and senior Democrats at a time when party unity and voter engagement will be critical to next year's contests.

By Lindsey Granger. This piece is based on public statements and reporting from lawmakers involved in internal discussions.