Overview

• Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, informed DNC Chair Ken Martin on June 5 that she would not accept reappointment as an at-large member after 23 years on the committee.
• In her letter, she said she did not want to keep questioning why the party was not expanding its tent and described herself as ‘out of step’ with Martin’s leadership direction.
• Weingarten backed Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler against Martin in this year’s DNC chair election and was later removed from the Rules and Bylaws Committee.
• Former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg resigned earlier following disputes over his plan to fund progressive primary challenges, underscoring growing internal fractures.
• The AFT represents about 1.7 million education workers, giving Weingarten significant influence as the party works to heal divisions seven months into President Trump’s second term.