Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader of the U.S. Democratic Party [AP Yonhap News]

Ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November, some Democratic senators, concerned about the negotiation style and election strategy of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (New York), have discussed the possibility of Schumer stepping down from his leadership position, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 21st (local time).

According to the report, Senator Chris Murphy (Connecticut), considered one of the leading potential presidential candidates for the Democratic Party, stated at a dinner with progressive activists in Washington D.C. in mid-last month that a confidential tally was being conducted to see if there were enough votes to oust Schumer as leader.

Murphy explained at the time that Schumer still had sufficient support to maintain his leadership role, but the remark indicated that dissatisfaction within the Senate Democratic caucus towards Schumer had reached a high level, the newspaper assessed.

The WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions, that Senators Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts) and Tina Smith (Minnesota), among others, had been in contact with their colleagues regarding Chuck Schumer's leadership within the Democratic Party.

The WSJ explained that in interviews with about 50 individuals, including Senate Democrats, candidates running for the Senate, former and current congressional aides, activists, and consultants, the majority expressed widespread concern about Schumer's leadership.

Sources said that Democratic staff meetings, held to discuss Senate issues, often turned into sessions where dissatisfaction with Majority Leader Schumer was expressed.

Specifically, dissatisfaction had been building over Schumer's approach to strategic decision-making, which excluded other party members, particularly in relation to last year's federal government shutdown and budget bill processing, the newspaper explained.

In an interview with the WSJ, Schumer dismissed the complaints against him, stating, "All leaders go through this," and emphasized that his support is deep and strong.