2025 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election
(Redirected from Draft:2025 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election)
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The 2025 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election is expected to be 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).[1] Jaime Harrison has announced that he will not seek another term as chair of the party.[2][3]
Background
[edit]Harrison was elected chair of the Democratic National Committee in January 2021, following election of Joe Biden as president in the 2020 United States presidential election. 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,[2] which is expected to be held no later than March 1, 2025.[4]
Harrison officially announced that he would not seek re-election as DNC chair on November 25, 2024. The election to determine the next chair will be held during the party's winter meeting on February 1, 2025, during which 448 DNC members will vote on a chair; a simple majority of votes is required to win.[1]
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.[2]
- December 12, 2024 – Meeting of the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee to vote on the chair election process.[5]
- January 2025 – Four candidate forums featuring qualifying candidates will be held.[5]
- February 1, 2025 – Election to be held by party voting members at the DNC's Winter Meeting.[1]
Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Ken Martin, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (2017–present) and chair of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (2011–present)[6]
- Martin O'Malley, commissioner of the Social Security Administration (2023–present), former governor of Maryland (2007–2015), and candidate for president in 2016[7]
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Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Michael Blake, former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (2017–2021) (currently running for mayor of New York City)[8]
- Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan (2022–present) and former mayor of Chicago (2011–2019)[9]
- Mallory McMorrow, majority whip of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 8th district (2019–present)[10]
- Jason Paul, executive member of the Newton, Massachusetts Democratic City Committee[11][better source needed]
- Chuck Rocha, political strategist[12]
- Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (2019–present) (announcement expected after November 28, 2024)[13]
Potential
[edit]- Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative from Texas's 16th congressional district (2013–2019) and candidate for U.S. senator in 2018, president in 2020, and governor of Texas in 2022[4]
- Max Rose, former U.S. representative from New York's 11th congressional district (2019–2021)[14]
- Stephanie Schriock, former president of EMILY's List (2010–2021)[15]
Declined
[edit]- Stacey Abrams, former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives (2011–2017) from the 84th district (2007–2013) and 89th district (2013–2017) and candidate for governor of Georgia in 2018 and 2022[4]
- Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky (2019–present)[4]
- Sherrod Brown, U.S. senator from Ohio (2007–present)[16]
- Laphonza Butler, U.S. senator from California (2023–present) and former president of EMILY's List (2021–2023)[17]
- Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–present), former mayor of South Bend (2012–2020), and candidate for DNC chair in 2017 and president in 2020[4]
- Mitch Landrieu, senior advisor to the president for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs (2021–2024) and former mayor of New Orleans (2010–2018)[18]
- Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey (2018–present)[19]
Forums and debates
[edit]The party will host forums for candidates, who will likely need to submit the signatures of 40 DNC members to participate in forums.[1] Each of the forums will be livestreamed.[20]
Endorsements
[edit]Ken Martin
- U.S. representatives
- Dean Phillips, MN-03 (2019–present) and candidate for president in 2024[21]
- Statewide officials
- Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present) and candidate for DNC chair in 2017[22]
- Individuals
- James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute and former DNC Executive Committee member (2001–2017)[23]
- Party officials
- More than 100 DNC members[24]
- Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party (2016–present)[25]
Martin O'Malley
- U.S. senators
- Angela Alsobrooks, Maryland (2025–present)[26]
- Ben Cardin, Maryland (2007–2025)[26]
- Chris Van Hollen, Maryland (2017–present)[26]
- Party officials
- 3 DNC members[27]
Rahm Emmanuel (not declared)
- U.S. representatives
- Steve Israel, NY-03 (2001–2017)[28]
- Party officials
- David Axelrod, political consultant[15]
Ben Wikler (not declared)
- U.S. senators
- Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin (2013–present)[29]
- U.S. representatives
- Pramila Jayapal, WA-07 (2017–present) and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (2021–present)[21]
- Mark Pocan, WI-02 (2013–present)[30]
- Individuals
- Jon Favreau, co-host of Pod Save America[21]
- Jennifer Rubin, columnist[31]
- Party officials
- Mike Tate, former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (2009–2015)[29]
Declined to endorse
- Party officials
- Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee (2021–present)[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Murray, Isabella (November 25, 2024). "DNC chair election set for Feb. 1, party official says". ABC News. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c Jarrett Renshaw (November 6, 2024). "Democratic Party chair Harrison won't seek new term after Trump win, sources say". Reuters.
- ^ Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Marianna Sotomayor, and Tyler Pager (November 9, 2024). "Democrats begin grappling with who will lead them through exile". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Merica, Dan; Peoples, Steve (November 9, 2024). "The Democrats are starting to discuss party chair candidates for the second Trump era". Associated Press. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Schneider, Elena (November 25, 2024). "DNC announces candidate forums, sets chair election for Feb. 1". Politico. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Coltin, Jeff; Reisman, Nick; Ngo, Emily (November 25, 2024). "Michael Blake is running for mayor — with a backup plan". Politico. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Alex (November 15, 2024). "Scoop: Rahm Emanuel weighs bid for DNC chair". Axios. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Daniels, Eugene; Bade, Rachael (November 20, 2024). "Playbook: The real divide roiling Democrats". Politico. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ Paul, Jason (November 25, 2024). "Considering a DNC Chair run". Trench Warfare Politics. Substack. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- ^ Seitz-Wald, Alex; Korecki, Natasha (November 20, 2024). "After a stinging election defeat, the Democrats' next big race kicks off: From the Politics Desk". NBC News. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ Seitz-Wald, Alex (November 25, 2024). "Democrats to elect a new party chair on Feb. 1". NBC News. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Wren, Adam; Otterbein, Holly; Kashinsky, Lisa (November 15, 2024). "Centrist Dems seize opening at the DNC: 'I don't want to be the freak show party'". Politico. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Kurtz, Josh (November 13, 2024). "O'Malley ponders bid to lead dispirited DNC". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Kuttner, Robert (November 11, 2024). "Who Will Lead the Democratic Party?". The American Prospect. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Marans, Daniel (November 18, 2024). "Mitch Landrieu, A Harris Campaign Leader, Rules Out DNC Chair Run". HuffPost. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Merica, Dan (November 25, 2024). "Democrats plan to elect new party leader just days after Trump's inauguration". Associated Press. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ Long, Hank (November 19, 2024). "Ken Martin launches bid for DNC chair". Alpha News. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ Otterbein, Holly (November 19, 2024). "Ken Martin jumps into race for DNC chair". Politico. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ Marans, Daniel (November 21, 2024). "Why Ken Martin Wants To Lead The Democratic National Committee". HuffPost. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ Allen, Jonathan; Korecki, Natasha (November 18, 2024). "DNC Chair race officially takes flight with its first candidate: Martin O'Malley". NBC News. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ferris, Sarah; John, Arit (November 18, 2024). "DNC chair election kicks off as former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley enters the race | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Israel, Steve (November 20, 2024). "Run, Rahm, run: Why Emanuel should lead the DNC". The Hill. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Wise, David (November 18, 2024). "Johnson tells 'UpFront' questions 'remain unanswered' in Hovde-Baldwin race". WisPolitics. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Rubin, Jennifer (November 25, 2024). "Dems' future — and democracy itself — might depend on the DNC chairman pick". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2024.