David Hogg faces vice chair re-election amid escalating Dem Party tension

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has voted to redo its vice chair election, potentially putting David Hogg’s leadership position at risk. The decision comes after a resolution proposed by Democratic Party activist Kalyn Free to host a re-election for two vice-chair positions, currently held by Hogg and Malcolm Kenyatta, was upheld by 75% of DNC members.

The move is seen as a blow to Hogg, who has been a divisive figure within the party for his $20 million pledge to primary-challenge older Democrats in safe blue districts through his political action group, Leaders We Deserve. Hogg’s fallout at the DNC was further highlighted in a leaked audio from a Zoom meeting of DNC Chair Ken Martin, where he expressed frustration over Hogg’s actions.

Despite the criticism, Hogg continued to endorse candidates in Democratic primaries, prompting Martin to issue an ultimatum for Hogg to either rescind his vice-chair position or forego his political influence through his PAC. The DNC’s decision to redo the vice chair election is seen as a move to remove Hogg from his leadership position.

Hogg, however, has framed the vote as an attempt to expedite his removal as vice chair, claiming that the DNC is trying to change the rules because he is not currently breaking them. The re-election for the two vice-chair positions is set to take place from June 12-17, with candidates who were eligible for the third ballot during the original election qualifying for the re-election.

While the decision to redo the vice chair election was based on procedural errors, Hogg’s involvement in pushing for primary challenges and party reform has been a point of contention within the DNC. The re-election process will determine whether Hogg and Kenyatta will retain their leadership positions, with one vice-chair position to be filled by a male and one by a candidate of any gender.

In response to the DNC’s decision, Hogg has maintained that the vote was influenced by his efforts to reform the party and ensure a free and fair democracy. The outcome of the re-election will have significant implications for the future leadership of the DNC, as the party navigates internal divisions and strives to maintain unity heading into the next election cycle.