Democrats in Disarray: More candidates jump into wide-open race for DNC chair

The race to lead the Democratic National Committee is heating up as more contenders throw their hats into the ring following the party’s disappointing results in the recent elections. Ben Wikler, who has chaired the Wisconsin Democratic Party for five years, announced his candidacy on Sunday, emphasizing the need for unity, strength, and victory for the party.

Joining Wikler in the race are former Maryland Senate candidate Robert Houton and New York State Senator James Skoufis, who both announced their bids over the weekend. Houton aims to lead the party to electoral victories for years to come, while Skoufis, an outsider in the race, vows to shake up the DNC’s playbook and focus on winning across the country.

The field of candidates grew even larger last week with the entry of former Maryland Governor and 2016 presidential candidate Martin O’Malley, and Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party chair Ken Martin. O’Malley stressed the importance of connecting with American families, while Martin highlighted the need for a new approach to rebuilding the party.

The DNC chair race is expected to continue expanding, with potential candidates like former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, former New York State Assembly member Michael Blake, Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow, and Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha eyeing the position. The next chair will be chosen by the 450 voting members of the national committee at the DNC’s winter meeting in February.

Ken Martin is currently seen as the frontrunner, with over 150 endorsements from voting members. However, Ben Wikler is also considered a strong contender due to his familiarity with the DNC membership. The race is expected to be close, with the party insider noting that the DNC establishment holds significant influence over the voting members.

As the candidates vie for the DNC chair position, they must address key issues such as implementing a 50-state strategy, reaching out to a broader range of working-class voters, and expanding communication platforms to compete with the Republicans. The upcoming election for DNC chair will be crucial in determining the direction of the Democratic Party moving forward.