Senate Democrats hold leadership elections as GOP prepares to take control

Washington — Senate Democrats are meeting Tuesday morning to elect their leadership for the next two years, after Republicans flipped the chamber in the 2024 elections. 

Though the party warded off a handful of challenges and held onto key seats in the upper chamber, Senate Democrats faced a particularly difficult map this cycle, and Republican flipped four seats, retaking the majority. After four years with a narrow Democrat majority in the chamber, the party is set to be in the minority next year, with 47 seats to Republicans' 53. 

But the outcome of the election isn't expected to cause a shakeup in Democratic leadership, with the top posts expected to remain unchanged. Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who's been in the role since 2017, and whip Dick Durbin, who's been the no. 2 Senate Democrat for nearly two decades, are expected to remain in their roles.