Nearly three months after the 2024 elections, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) gathered to choose new leadership, in an effort to rebound from losses and reposition the party for future elections. The eight candidates vying for chair, including Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin and Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler, will be chosen by the roughly 450 DNC voting members gathered for the party’s winter meeting.
The next chair will play a critical role in shaping the party’s messaging, strategy, and infrastructure, as well as where to allocate millions in political contributions. The chair’s decisions will also impact internal governance and resource allocation, with a focus on supporting state parties.
The candidates have been debating on issues such as media strategy, messaging, fundraising, and grassroots organizing, with a focus on winning back blue-collar voters who have shifted to support Republicans. However, the final forum also saw a focus on systemic racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which some believe contributed to Democratic losses in November.
The chair election comes as a new national poll spells trouble for the Democrats, with only 31% of respondents having a favorable opinion of the party, while 57% have an unfavorable view. In contrast, 43% of respondents have a favorable view of the GOP, with 45% holding an unfavorable opinion.
Several candidates have expressed optimism about the potential for reform and growth within the party, including Martin, who emphasized the need to “figure out a plan to win” and bring party stakeholders together. Wikler highlighted the importance of communicating with voters in a clear and relatable way, emphasizing the party’s commitment to fighting for people’s struggles and delivering tangible results.
The election is seen as a critical step in the party’s efforts to rebound from its 2024 setbacks, with the new chair set to play a key role in shaping the party’s direction and fortunes in upcoming elections.