WASHINGTON — US Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, announced Thursday that he would challenge Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer for the position of Senate majority leader when Democrats take control of the chamber in January.

"In this election, Americans called on us to unrig an economy rigged against working people & fueled by political corruption. To deliver, we need new leadership ... That's why I'm running for Senate Majority Leader," Van Hollen said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

Van Hollen's announcement came amid growing calls from some Democratic senators and activists for an alternative to Schumer, whom they consider too closely aligned with the party establishment to lead Democrats in the next Congress, The New York Times reported.

In the Nov 3 midterm elections, Democrats regained control of both chambers of Congress in a sweeping victory. They are set to hold at least 55 seats in the Senate when the 120th Congress convenes in January.

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Several incoming Democratic senators, including Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Troy Jackson of Maine and Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, have said they would not support Schumer for the party's leadership position.

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, also said Tuesday that he would not support Schumer's reelection as the party's leader in the new Congress. Speaking at a press conference, Sanders said the midterm elections had been "about change."

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Schumer, 75, who has led Senate Democrats since 2017, has expressed confidence in retaining the position. On Nov 4, he said: "I'll be reelected as majority leader."

The Senate Democratic caucus is expected to hold its leadership election in early December. The contest will be conducted by secret ballot, with incoming senators-elect also eligible to participate, according to Roll Call.