Senate Democrats are heading into the November midterms with a question beyond who wins: who leads them afterward? Several candidates and at least one sitting senator are openly calling for change at the top.

The answer matters well beyond one party. The Senate shapes judicial confirmations, spending, and the response to the cultural issues that concern people of faith. The question of who leads each party’s caucus influences all of it.

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From Fox News:

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is confident that Democrats will win the Senate, but whether they support him as leader remains to be seen.

Adam Hamilton, who has gained enough ground on incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., in ruby-red Kansas to make it a toss-up race, reiterated this week that he won’t support Schumer for leader in either a majority or minority.

While many Democratic senators won’t publicly engage with the topic of replacing Schumer, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., did. Earlier this year she argued that Democrats were still reeling from the 2024 election, and that “every day, there’s a debate within the party about the path forward.”

Schumer has led the Senate Democratic Caucus since 2017, when he succeeded the late Sen. Harry Reid. He told Politico he is running for re-election as leader, whatever happens in November. He also said Democrats have momentum heading into the election. Hamilton, a Kansas Democratic candidate, said he does not support Schumer, though he stressed no disrespect. He called for fresh leadership, term limits, and age limits. Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota have also declined to commit to Schumer, during and after their primary wins this year. Both have accepted money from the Senate Majority PAC, which is closely tied to the Democratic leader. Fox News Digital contacted both campaigns for comment.

Democrats have quietly questioned their leadership since losing the Senate in the 2024 election. Those conversations surfaced twice last year. The first was when Schumer declined to force a shutdown early in President Donald Trump’s second term. The second came when he could not stop fellow Democrats from ending the longest full government shutdown in history. Slotkin has since called for significant new leadership. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has emerged as a possible replacement favored by progressives, including El-Sayed. Van Hollen would not say whether he would challenge Schumer and said the midterms are his focus. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., also declined to comment when asked whether a Senate win would strengthen Schumer’s hand.

Leadership matters because it sets direction, and Scripture says so plainly. Proverbs 29:2 says the people rejoice when the righteous are in authority and groan when the wicked rule. Proverbs 11:14 reminds us that a nation without wise guidance falls, while safety comes with many advisers. Believers do not place their hope in any party or personality, but they are called to care about who governs. Romans 13:1 says authorities are established by God, and 1 Timothy 2:1-2 urges prayer for everyone in authority, so that we may live peaceful and godly lives. Whoever leads in the Senate should be held to the standard of justice, truth, and respect for life, family, and religious liberty.

Let’s pray that senators would seek wisdom, act with integrity, and follow God. Let’s pray for Americans to vote with discernment this November and for a fair, secure election. Let’s pray for righteous leadership in both parties, and for lawmakers who will defend life, family, and religious freedom. Let’s pray for unity and peace across the nation, whatever the outcome.

How are you praying about this issue? Share your prayers and scriptures in the comments below.

(Excerpt from Fox News. Photo Credit: usarmyband – https://www.flickr.com/photos/23690396@N02/53992966975/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=170091877).