DNC to Hold Chair Election in February to Decide Party’s Future

Jaime Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, shares with NTD’s Kelly Wright why he supports Vice President Kamala Harris for president. The Epoch Times

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced on Monday that it will host an election on Feb. 1 for its new chair, who will likely shape the party’s future course. Members also will vote on the vice chairs, treasurer, secretary, and national finance chair.

The Democratic Party is still reeling from Vice President Kamala Harris’s loss to President-elect Donald Trump, which saw a Republican win the national popular vote for the first time in 20 years.

The DNC is hosting the chair election at its winter meeting from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 at National Harbor, Maryland. The process will feature four candidate forums throughout January, including in-person and virtual events where candidates can engage with grassroots party members nationwide.

Democrats will have the first chance since Harris’s loss to decide on their party’s path forward, with two potential chair candidates already stepping up to the plate—Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. Additional candidates that may launch separate bids include Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha.

DNC members also will be allowed to vote on the chair election process during the Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting on Dec. 12. Three years ago, the committee required prospective candidates to submit 40 signatures from DNC members to gain ballot access, and the same threshold will be in place during the four candidate forums in January.

Outgoing DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said the committee would run an “inclusive and transparent process” that would allow members to get to know the candidates before casting their votes. Harrison is not seeking reelection in 2025.

“As my time as Chair comes to a close and we prepare to undertake the critical work of holding the Trump Administration and Republican Party accountable for their extremism and false promises, we are beginning to lay out the process for upcoming DNC officer elections in the New Year,” Harrison wrote in a letter to DNC members.

“The DNC is committed to running a transparent, equitable, and impartial election for the next generation of leadership to guide the party forward.”

Both Harrison and all DNC staff will remain neutral through the process, including “abstaining from endorsing or campaigning for any candidate.” The committee has 448 active members, including 200 state-elected members from 57 states, territories, and “Democrats Abroad.”

The DNC said it would provide more details on the four candidate forums in the coming weeks.