Chuck Schumer has been elected as the minority leader of the Democratic Party in the US Senate, making him the first Jewish politician to head a party in Congress.

The 65-year-old New Yorker will succeed Harry Reid, the Nevada Senator who is retiring after 30 years.

As Washington’s most senior Democrat, Mr Schumer will face a Republican-controlled Congress and Senate after Donald Trump’s victory last week.

Many Jewish voters who backed Hillary Clinton, hoping for a Democrat win, will look to Mr Schumer as a voice of reason.

At a press conference following his election today, Mr Schumer insisted he was not afraid to condemn Mr Trump.

“We’re ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Republicans, working with soon-to-be President Trump on issues where we agree, but we will go toe to toe against the president-elect whenever our values or the progress we’ve made is under assault.”

Before his election to the Senate 18 years ago, Mr Schumer served in the House of Representatives from 1981 to 1999.

He was also chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 2005 to 2009, during which time the party made a total of 14 gains in the Senate.

"Schumer is going to bring more energy and this upbeat attitude that we're going to get things done," Eric Herzik, chairman of the political science department at the University of Nevada, told USA Today.

"He's just a fresher face, and that might help him negotiate with Republicans."