Second union opposes Schumer in leadership fight

Zoom in: The Office and Professional Employees International Union sent a letter to Schumer on Friday saying that "we are respectfully asking you to decline to seek to become the next Senate Majority Leader."

• "The American people are desperate for change, and for a new generation of political leaders to deliver that change," the 90,000-member union added.

• "We are grateful for the decades of support you've shown for organized labor throughout your career, but we must empower the next generation of political leaders at this pivotal time in our nation's history."

The union endorsed Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who announced on Thursday that he is running for the majority leadership position.

• "Our letter speaks for itself: American workers are calling for bold change, and we need a new set of audacious leaders to make their mandate happen," OPEIU President Tyler Turner told Axios.
• The OPEIU's move follows the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers coming out on Thursday in support of Van Hollen.
• The United Auto Workers has also flirted with the idea of backing another majority leader, saying that the union "will only stand" with someone who "commits to immediately begin addressing the retirement and healthcare crisis."

The other side: A spokesperson for Schumer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

• Schumer said on the social media site X on Thursday that he has the votes to win the leadership job but welcomes "any discussion about the future of our caucus."

The intruige: Van Hollen spoke about his campaign at a confab of party leaders and activists in Denver on Friday hosted by the center-left group Majority Democrats.

• He received a burst of applause when he talked about his challenge to Schumer.