Race for DNC chair narrows after longshot candidate drops out, endorses Minnesota’s Ken Martin

The race for the next Democratic National Committee chair has taken an interesting turn as a long-shot candidate has dropped out and thrown their support behind Ken Martin, the chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Martin, who currently serves as a DNC vice chair and has been leading the association of state Democratic Party chairs, is now considered a top contender for the job.

The momentum behind Martin received a significant boost when New York state Sen. James Skoufis exited the race and endorsed him. Skoufis emphasized that Martin’s leadership would prioritize expanding the Democratic Party’s reach and reconnecting with voters outside of Washington, D.C. He also highlighted the need to sideline consultants who may be out of touch with the party’s core values.

In the wake of significant losses in the 2024 elections, where Republicans made gains across the board, Martin has emphasized the need to develop a winning strategy. He has pledged to assess the party’s financial standing, contractual obligations, and stakeholder relationships to chart a path forward. By bringing together various factions within the party, Martin aims to unify Democrats and refocus their efforts on regaining lost ground.

Other prominent contenders in the DNC chair race include Ben Wikler, who has led the Wisconsin Democratic Party since 2019, and Martin O’Malley, the former governor of Maryland and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate. With current chair Jaime Harrison opting not to seek another term, the upcoming decision on the DNC chair will be made by approximately 450 voting members of the national party committee during the winter meeting on February 1 in Maryland.

The outcome of this race will have far-reaching implications for the Democratic Party as it seeks to regroup and rebuild following recent setbacks. As the contenders vie for the chairmanship, their visions for the party’s future and strategies for success will be closely scrutinized. Stay tuned for updates on this crucial leadership decision for the DNC.

(Disclaimer: This article is a rewrite based on the original content from Fox News. Credit to Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser for contributing to the original report.)