Democrats Face Pivotal DNC Chair Race Following Election Losses

Candidates for DNC leadership present distinct visions to rebuild the party as February election approaches.

The Democratic National Committee will elect its next chair on February 1, 2025, following widespread party losses in the November elections.
Notable candidates include Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Chair Ken Martin, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, and others, each emphasizing strategies to reconnect with voters.
Ben Wikler has gained endorsements from both progressive and centrist groups, including MoveOn.org, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, and Third Way, highlighting his appeal across the party's ideological spectrum.
Ken Martin is seen as a frontrunner, securing over 100 endorsements and emphasizing his track record of statewide Democratic victories in Minnesota since 2011.
Candidates broadly agree on the need to rebuild working-class support, with differing approaches, such as Wikler’s focus on a year-round campaign model and Martin’s emphasis on defining the party’s values beyond opposition to Trump.