Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced Monday that fellow New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand would lead the Senate Democratic campaign arm for the 2026 midterm cycle.
“Electing more Democrats to the Senate in 2026 is the most important thing we can do to limit the damage of Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans and do more for working families. I have worked side by side with Kirsten Gillibrand for nearly two decades and I know she will be an outstanding [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee] Chair,” Schumer said in a statement. “With her hard work, tenacity, and discipline, Sen. Gillibrand is the right person to lead our campaign to victory in 2026.”
Gillibrand’s interest in the role was well established, and Monday’s announcement was expected. She was first elected to the House in 2006, defeating Republican Rep. John E. Sweeney in a competitive upstate seat. Gillibrand entered the Senate in 2009 after Gov. David A. Paterson appointed her to succeed Hillary Clinton, who left to become Barack Obama’s secretary of State. Gillibrand won a third full term last fall, defeating her Republican opponent by 18 points — the narrowest margin of her Senate career.
