Washington — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday he won't support New York Sen. Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader when the party takes control of the Senate, becoming the most prominent progressive to oppose his candidacy to date.

Sanders made the announcement at a press conference at the Capitol, saying last week's midterm elections were "about change." Democrats will control at least 54 seats when the 120th Congress convenes in January.

"It was an election across the country, in red states and blue states, where people were looking around them and saying, 'What is going on in America, when I am struggling to put food on the table, pay for healthcare, pay for housing, and I'm worried not only that ...