2025 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election

2025 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election
← 2021 February 1, 2025 2029 →
448 members of the DNC who will vote
214.5 votes needed to win
 
Candidate Ken Martin Ben Wikler Martin O'Malley
Caucus vote 246.5 134.5 44
Percentage 55.02% 30.02% 10.28%
Chair before election

Jaime Harrison

 Elected Chair

Ken Martin

The 2025 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election was held on February 1, 2025, at the party's winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, to determine the next chairperson of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Jaime Harrison did not seek a second term as chair of the party. Ken Martin won the election on the first ballot with 246.5 votes.

Background

[edit]
Jaime Harrison

Harrison was elected chair of the Democratic National Committee in January 2021, following the presidential election of Joe Biden in 2020. During his tenure, Harrison defended Biden from calls to suspend his 2024 re-election campaign amid the first 2024 presidential debate. Following the 2024 United States presidential election, in which Democratic vice president Kamala Harris was defeated by Republican former president Donald Trump, it was reported that Harrison would not seek re-election as chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2025. An all-staff meeting was held on November 6, 2024, to discuss the results of the election and a potential timeline for a leadership vote,[1] which was initially scheduled to occur by March 1, 2025 at the latest, according to party bylaws.[2]

Harrison officially announced that he would not seek re-election as DNC chair on November 25, 2024. The election to determine the next chair was held during the party's winter meeting on February 1, 2025, during which 448 DNC members voted on a chair; a simple majority of votes was required to win.[3]

Timeline

[edit]
  • November 6, 2024 – Reuters reports that Jaime Harrison will not seek re-election as chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2025 following the party's defeat in the 2024 United States presidential election.[1]
  • December 12, 2024 – Meeting of the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee voted on the chair election process.[4]
  • January 2025 – Four candidate forums featuring qualifying candidates will be held.[5]
  • February 1, 2025 – Election was held by party voting members at the DNC's Winter Meeting, and Ken Martin was elected.[3]

Candidates

[edit]

In order to qualify as a candidate for chair, prospective candidates had to submit a nominating statement signed by 40 DNC members by January 25, 2025.[6]

Declared

[edit]

Disqualified

[edit]

Withdrawn

[edit]

Declined

[edit]

Forums and debates

[edit]

The party hosted forums for candidates,[3] who will need to submit the signatures of 40 DNC members to participate in forums.[6] Each of the forums were livestreamed.[37] All declared candidates qualified to attend the forums,[23] however, Robert Houton was barred from attending any forums by outgoing DNC chair Jamie Harrison after making several positive statements about President Donald Trump and several contributions to Republican candidates.[38]

Debates among candidates for the 2025 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election
No. Date and time Place Host Link Participants

 P  Present  I  Invited  A  Absent
 N  Not invited  NYD  Not yet declared candidacy  W  Withdrawn

Hathaway Martin O'Malley Paul Shakir Skoufis Snyder Wikler Williamson
1[39] December 7, 2024
4:45 p.m. ET 		Boston, MA Young Democrats of America YouTube N P P N NYD P N P NYD
2[40] January 6, 2025
6:00 p.m. ET 		Virtual DNC Labor Council YouTube P P P P NYD P P P P
3[41][42] January 11, 2025
4:00 p.m. ET 		Virtual Democratic National Committee YouTube P P P P NYD P P P P
4 January 14, 2025
8:00 p.m. ET 		Virtual Brian Tyler Cohen
Leigh McGowan 		YouTube P P P P NYD P A P P
5[43][44] January 16, 2025
7:30 p.m. ET 		Detroit, MI Democratic National Committee
Politico 		YouTube P P P P N W P P P
6[45] January 23, 2025
2:00 p.m. ET 		Virtual Democratic National Committee YouTube P P P P N W P P P
7[46] January 24, 2025
6:00 p.m. ET 		Charleston, SC Democratic National Committee
South Carolina Democratic Party 		YouTube P P P P A W P P A
8[45][47] January 30, 2025
3:00 p.m. ET 		Washington, D.C. Democratic National Committee
MSNBC 		YouTube P P P P P W P P P

Endorsements

[edit]
Ken Martin
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Individuals
Party officials
  • 200 DNC members,[38] including:
  • 51 state party chairs and vice chairs[54]
  • The entire Democratic Party delegations in eight states[21]
  • James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, DNC Ethnic Council chair, and former DNC Executive Committee member (2001–2017)[55]
Organizations
Martin O'Malley
Executive Branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Mayors
Party officials
Labor unions
Faiz Shakir
Individuals
Ben Wikler
Executive Branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Mayors
Individuals
Party officials
Organizations
Labor unions
Newspapers
Declined to endorse
Executive Branch officials
U.S. senators
Statewide officials
Organizations
  • Association of State Democratic Committees[96]
Labor unions
Party officials
Jonathan Jackson (undeclared)
U.S. representatives
James Skoufis (withdrawn)
Party officials
  • 23 DNC members[7]
Rahm Emanuel (declined to run)
U.S. representatives
Party officials

Results

[edit]

Of the 428 votes cast, Martin won 246.5 votes, Wikler won 134.5 votes, O'Malley won 44 votes,[101] Shakir won two votes[102] and Paul received one.[18]

Candidate Round 1
Ken Martin 246.5
Ben Wikler 134.5
Martin O'Malley 44
Faiz Shakir 2
Jason Paul 1
Quintessa Hathaway 0
No vote
Abstain 4
Total
  Candidate secured enough votes to win election
  Candidate secured a plurality of votes in the round
  Candidate withdrew

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Jarrett Renshaw (November 6, 2024). "Democratic Party chair Harrison won't seek new term after Trump win, sources say". Reuters.
  2. ^ a b c d Merica, Dan; Peoples, Steve (November 9, 2024). "The Democrats are starting to discuss party chair candidates for the second Trump era". Associated Press. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Murray, Isabella (November 25, 2024). "DNC chair election set for Feb. 1, party official says". ABC News. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee Votes to Recommend 2025 Rules of Procedure for Election of DNC Officers". Democrats. December 12, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  5. ^ Schneider, Elena (November 25, 2024). "DNC announces candidate forums, sets chair election for Feb. 1". Politico. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Tomasello, Adrianna (December 12, 2024). "DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee Votes to Recommend 2025 Rules of Procedure for Election of DNC Officers". democrats.org (Press release). Democratic National Committee. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Epstein, Reid J. (January 5, 2025). "As Democrats Reel, Two Front-Runners Emerge in a Leadership Battle". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  8. ^ Epstein, Reid J. (November 19, 2024). "Ken Martin, a Minnesotan With Deep Democratic Ties, Joins the D.N.C. Race". The New York Times. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  9. ^ Epstein, Reid J. (November 18, 2024). "Martin O'Malley, Ex-Maryland Governor, Kicks Off Race to Lead D.N.C.". The New York Times. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  10. ^ McGonigle, Bryan (December 5, 2024). "Newton Democrat running for DNC chair". Newton Beacon. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  11. ^ Goldmacher, Shane; Epstein, Reid (January 15, 2024). "Faiz Shakir, Ex-Bernie Sanders Campaign Chief, Joins Race for D.N.C. Chair". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Epstein, Reid J. (December 1, 2024). "Wisconsin Democratic Chair Says He Is the One to Revive a Distressed Party". The New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  13. ^ Walsh, Kelsey; Shepherd, Brittany (December 1, 2024). "Two more Democrats join race for Democratic National Committee chair". ABC News. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Qualified DNC Party Officer Candidates" (PDF). Democratic National Committee. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  15. ^ Epstein, Reid (November 30, 2024). "After Democratic Losses, a Little-Known Lawmaker Wants to Lead the Party". The New York Times. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Schneider, Elena (January 16, 2025). "Ken Martin gets another endorsement in DNC race as James Skoufis drops out". POLITICO. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  17. ^ Shalal, Andrea (December 10, 2024). "Latino security expert Nate Snyder joins race to be Democratic party chair". Reuters. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Shepherd, Brittany; Murphy, Isabella (February 1, 2025). "DNC selects new leader after 2024 election disappointment". ABC News. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  19. ^ Mueller, Julia (December 26, 2024). "Marianne Williamson launches bid for DNC chair". The Hill. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Peoples, Steve (February 1, 2025). "Democrats elect Ken Martin, the party leader in Minnesota, as national chair". Associated Press. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  21. ^ a b c d Booker, Brakkton (January 13, 2025). "Abrams endorses Wikler in DNC race". Politico. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i Shepherd, Brittany; Kerr, Nicholas (January 23, 2025). "7 governors back Ben Wikler for DNC chair: Exclusive". ABC News. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  23. ^ a b Levien, Simon J. (November 28, 2024). "Who Might Be the Next Chair of the Democratic Party?". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  24. ^ Kuttner, Robert (November 11, 2024). "Who Will Lead the Democratic Party?". The American Prospect. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  25. ^ Mehta, Seema (November 18, 2024). "Laphonza Butler reflects on her brief Senate career, the presidential race and her future". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  26. ^ "Rahm Emanuel 'not interested' in DNC chair, but far from done with politics". Chicago Sun-Times. December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  27. ^ Haines, Errin (December 6, 2024). "Why aren't Black women in the conversation to lead the Democratic Party?". The 19th. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  28. ^ a b c d Vitali, Ali (January 6, 2025). "Martin O'Malley snags DNC chair endorsements from current and former Black members of Congress". NBC News. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  29. ^ Marans, Daniel (November 18, 2024). "Mitch Landrieu, A Harris Campaign Leader, Rules Out DNC Chair Run". HuffPost. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  30. ^ a b c d e f Vakil, Caroline (January 9, 2025). "Over 50 current, former mayors endorse Martin O'Malley in DNC chair bid". The Hill. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  31. ^ Vakil, Caroline (December 17, 2024). "Michigan state lawmaker passes on DNC chair position". The Hill. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Vakil, Caroline (January 14, 2025). "Michigan lawmaker who spoke at Dem convention endorses Wikler for DNC chair". The Hill. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  33. ^ Lesniewski, Niels; McIntire, Mary Ellen; Altimari, Daniela (November 14, 2024). "At the Races: The Leftovers". Roll Call. Retrieved November 18, 2024. This morning, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ruled out a run, according to ABC News.
  34. ^ Smiley, Tavis (January 8, 2025). "Congressman Dean Phillips joins Tavis Smiley". KBLA Talk 1580. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  35. ^ a b c d Otterbein, Holly; Schneider, Elena (November 12, 2024). "The biggest clue about the Democrats' post-election future starts with this race". Politico. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  36. ^ "Who should lead the Democratic party? Analysts discuss". CNN. December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  37. ^ Merica, Dan (November 25, 2024). "Democrats plan to elect new party leader just days after Trump's inauguration". Associated Press. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  38. ^ a b c Epstein, Reid J. (January 24, 2025). "Ken Martin Emerges as a Heavy Favorite in the Race to Lead the DNC". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  39. ^ Roy, Yash (December 8, 2024). "Young Democrats of America host first DNC chairman race candidates forum". The Hill. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  40. ^ Craig, Berry (January 3, 2025). "DNC Labor Council Virtual Party Chair Candidate Forum". Kentucky State AFL-CIO. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  41. ^ Tomasello, Adrianna (January 7, 2025). "ADVISORY: DNC Announces Qualifying Candidates, Moderators, and Additional Details for First DNC Officer Forum on January 11". Democrats. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  42. ^ Fields, Ashleigh (January 11, 2025). "Democrats debate strategy, voter protection at first candidate forum". The Hill. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  43. ^ Manchester, Julia (January 16, 2025). "DNC to hold first in-person candidate forum in Detroit". The Hill. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  44. ^ Tomasello, Adrianna (January 10, 2025). "ADVISORY: DNC and POLITICO to Host DNC Officer Forum in Detroit, Michigan on January 16 - Democrats". Democrats. Democratic National Committee. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  45. ^ a b Wren, Adam (December 24, 2024). "Playbook: Honey, I shrunk the DNC chair". Politico. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  46. ^ Brams, Sophie (January 10, 2025). "South Carolina Democrats, DNC to host forum with Chair candidates in Charleston". Count on News 2. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  47. ^ Johnson, Ted (January 22, 2025). "MSNBC To Host Forum For Candidates To Lead Democratic National Committee". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  48. ^ Shepherd, Brittany; Kerr, Nicholas (January 21, 2025). "Democrats look to define dynamics of race for party chair". ABC News. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  49. ^ a b c d e f Long, Hank (December 24, 2024). "Walz declines to endorse Ken Martin in race for DNC chair". Alpha News. Retrieved December 25, 2024. Walz answered, before making it clear he won't make an endorsement for DNC chair.
  50. ^ a b c d e f McIntire, Mary Ellen; Altimari, Daniela (January 29, 2025). "Democrats in Congress largely stay on sidelines in DNC chair race". Roll Call. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  51. ^ Long, Hank (November 19, 2024). "Ken Martin launches bid for DNC chair". Alpha News. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  52. ^ a b Epstein, Reid J. (January 9, 2025). "Tim Walz Endorses Ken Martin, a Fellow Minnesotan, to Lead the D.N.C." The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  53. ^ a b "Union leaders take sides in Democratic Party chair race". People's World. January 31, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  54. ^ Woodall, Hunter (January 13, 2025). "Minnesotan Ken Martin's bid to be DNC chair gains more public endorsements - CBS News". CBS News. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  55. ^ Otterbein, Holly (November 19, 2024). "Ken Martin jumps into race for DNC chair". Politico. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  56. ^ Minnesota Young DFL (MYDFL) (December 21, 2024). "MYDFL is endorsing DFL Chair Ken Martin for the DNC chair position in the upcoming election. And if there's one thing we've learned from experience here in Minnesota, it's that Ken comes through. Yeah, we're movin' with Martin #KMart4DNC". Facebook. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  57. ^ a b c Rampani, Lori (November 26, 2024). "Dem. Lawmakers endorse former MD Gov. and Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley for DNC Chair". WBFF. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  58. ^ Cohen, Max; Soellner, Mica (January 9, 2025). "Jeffries to host DNC candidates in competitive chair race". Punchbowl News. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  59. ^ Swick, Carson; Conrad, Brooke (January 15, 2025). "Race for DNC chair: Some see Maryland's O'Malley as a 'proven political winner.' Some don't". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  60. ^ "IFPTE Endorses Gov. O'Malley for Democratic National Committee Chair". IFPTE. January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  61. ^ Peoples, Steve (January 15, 2025). "Faiz Shakir, Bernie Sanders' former campaign chief, enters DNC race". Associated Press. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  62. ^ Reich, Robert (December 1, 2024). "Wikler for Chair". Robert Reich. Substack. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  63. ^ a b Andrea, Lawrence (November 19, 2024). "Wisconsin Democratic leader Ben Wikler seen as a contender to lead the DNC". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  64. ^ a b c d e "Wikler campaign: Four largest public sector unions endorse Ben Wikler for DNC Chair". Wispolitics.com. January 16, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  65. ^ a b c d e "Wikler campaign: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson endorses Ben Wikler for DNC Chair ahead of Detroit DNC forum". WisPolitics. January 15, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  66. ^ DaBruzzi, Anthony (January 3, 2025). "'Unite, fight, win': Ben Wikler shares his platform if elected as DNC Chair next month". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  67. ^ Schneider, Elena (January 2, 2025). "Schumer backs Wisconsin's Wikler for DNC chair". Politico. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  68. ^ Wu, Nicholas (January 31, 2025). "Jeffries backs Wikler". Politico. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  69. ^ Weigel, David (December 2, 2024). "DNC leadership race heats up as Wisconsin party chair Ben Wikler joins competition". Semafor. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  70. ^ Wu, Nicholas (January 29, 2025). "Pelosi backs Wikler for DNC". Politico. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  71. ^ Wise, David (November 18, 2024). "Johnson tells 'UpFront' questions 'remain unanswered' in Hovde-Baldwin race". WisPolitics. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  72. ^ "ICE has arrived, along with Dr. Phil". Politico. January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  73. ^ Ryan, Tim (January 30, 2025). "Ben Wikler for DNC Chair". Medium. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  74. ^ "Wikler campaign: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky chair of the International Workers' Rights Caucus, endorses Ben Wikler for DNC Chair". WisPolitics (Press release). January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  75. ^ a b Epstein, Reid (January 24, 2025). "Contenders to Lead the Democratic Party Scramble to Show Momentum". New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  76. ^ Kelly, Jack (January 27, 2025). "Wisconsin's Ben Wikler could soon lead national Democratic Party". Wisconsin Watch. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  77. ^ Blackburn, Zach (January 29, 2025). "Baraka makes endorsement in DNC chair race". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  78. ^ a b "Leadership Now Project Endorses Ben Wikler for Chair of the Democratic National Committee". January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  79. ^ "Even Centrists Agree: Ben Wikler for DNC Chair". Politico. December 4, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  80. ^ Goldberg, Michelle (December 2, 2024). "If Anyone Can Save the Democrats, It's Ben Wikler". The New York Times. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  81. ^ a b Greenberg, Leah. "Indivisible endorses Ben Wikler for DNC Chair". Medium. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  82. ^ Nichols, John (December 1, 2024). "Ben Wikler is a party builder". The Capital Times. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  83. ^ Epstein, Reid J.; Goldmacher, Shane (February 1, 2025). "Democratic National Committee Picks Next Chair: What to Watch For". The New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  84. ^ a b c d "AFSCME, AFT, NEA and SEIU presidents endorse Ben Wikler as chair of the Democratic National Committee". January 16, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  85. ^ Rubin, Jennifer (November 25, 2024). "Dems' future — and democracy itself — might depend on the DNC chairman pick". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  86. ^ Greve, Joan E. (January 31, 2025). "DNC to elect new chair as party grapples with how to rebuild after 2024 losses". The Guardian. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  87. ^ Daniels, Eugene (January 6, 2025). "Playbook: The storm arrives in Washington". Politico. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  88. ^ Stuart, Tessa (December 20, 2024). "The Race for DNC Chair Is a Midwest Nice Fight". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  89. ^ Manchester, Julia (December 4, 2024). "Wikler wins endorsements for DNC from MoveOn.org executive director, PCCC". The Hill. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  90. ^ Manchester, Julia (December 4, 2024). "Third Way backing Wisconsin's Ben Wikler for DNC chair". The Hill. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  91. ^ Weingarten, Randi (January 30, 2025). "Opinion: Take it from union leaders—elect Ben Wikler chair of the DNC". Daily Kos. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  92. ^ "Wikler campaign: Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi endorses Ben Wikler for DNC chair". WisPolitics. January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  93. ^ "Editorial | Ben Wikler should be the DNC chair". The Cap Times. December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  94. ^ Thomas, Ken; McCormick, John (February 1, 2025). "Next DNC Chair's Task: Turn Around a Struggling Party". WSJ. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  95. ^ a b Blackburn, Zach (January 29, 2025). "Murphy, Kim make endorsements for DNC leadership roles". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  96. ^ John, Arit. "Democrats search for a leader to rebuild as the party figures out what comes next". Retrieved January 13, 2025. Others have pointed to the news that the Association of State Democratic Committees, the group Martin chairs that represents the largest voting bloc in the DNC, decided this week not to endorse a candidate.
  97. ^ Svitek, Patrick (January 19, 2025). "After November losses, Democrats vie to lead DNC in restless race". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  98. ^ Sweet, Lynn (January 6, 2025). "Rep. Jonathan Jackson mulling a long-shot, late bid to chair the Democratic National Committee". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  99. ^ Israel, Steve (November 20, 2024). "Run, Rahm, run: Why Emanuel should lead the DNC". The Hill. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  100. ^ Kurtz, Josh (November 13, 2024). "O'Malley ponders bid to lead dispirited DNC". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  101. ^ Fowler, Steven (February 1, 2025). "The Democratic Party votes for new leadership, choosing Minnesota's Ken Martin as chair". NPR. Archived from the original on February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  102. ^ Epstein, Reid J.; Goldmacher, Shane (February 1, 2025). "Democrats Choose a Political Operator From Minnesota as Their New Leader". New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
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