NEW YORK — Faiz Shakir, a progressive strategist who managed Senator Bernie Sanders’ previous presidential campaign, has declared his candidacy for the position of chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). He warns that the party risks repeating past mistakes by not learning from the significant insights brought forth by Donald Trump’s political rise. Shakir emphasizes that Trump has, at times, resonated more effectively with working-class voters, a group that has historically been crucial to the Democratic Party’s foundation.
“It seems we’ve moved on without sincerely engaging with the challenges presented to us. We are not even having the necessary discussions,” Shakir stated, stressing that the party has not fully processed the last four years of political dynamics. “If we simply maintain the status quo, it indicates we’ve learned nothing about our recent experiences and the declining image of the Democratic Party.”
Despite being a newcomer to the electoral scene and having limited time before the upcoming election in less than three weeks, Shakir’s campaign may shape the discussion surrounding this pivotal election. Currently, he faces competition from eight other candidates, including Ben Wikler, who leads the Democratic Party in Wisconsin, and Ken Martin, chair of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
According to Shakir, he informed Sanders of his decision to run, though the senator neither encouraged nor discouraged his candidacy. A representative for Sanders refrained from providing comments. Shakir has already garnered his first endorsement from Sara Nelson, the President of the Association of Flight Attendants. In a statement on social media, Nelson expressed her support for Shakir’s intention to harness the DNC’s resources to empower the working class.
However, the competition is tough, as other candidates have been cultivating support among the DNC’s 448 voting members for weeks. Ray Buckley, a member of the DNC executive committee and chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, indicated that Shakir’s timing might be misguided, questioning the availability of undecided members necessary for Shakir to secure the required votes.
Wikler positions himself as a connector between the party’s progressive and moderate factions, earning endorsements from prominent Democrats like Chuck Schumer and Stacey Abrams, as well as progressive organizations. Martin, on the other hand, is backed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and numerous state leaders.
Both leading candidates have pledged to emphasize economic issues and the needs of the working class if they win the chairmanship. However, there has been little mention of a critical overhaul of the party’s organizational structure.
Shakir, who has extensive experience and was raised by Pakistani immigrants, would be the DNC’s first Muslim chair if elected. He has held influential positions working with notable politicians including Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, and is currently at the helm of More Perfect Union, a pro-labor media initiative. He shared his reasons for running in a letter to DNC voting members, revealing he missed the deadline for a candidate forum but plans to secure signatures for subsequent forums before the Feb. 1 election.
In his message, Shakir noted a prevalent mindset among candidates that seemed determined to maintain the existing order. He insisted that to regain the support of working-class voters, Democrats must offer new and substantial ideas. He credited Trump with a surprising ability to draw in disenchanted working-class individuals, pointing to Trump’s policies like tariffs and taxation changes that resonate with their interests.
Shakir also voiced concerns regarding his party’s recent alliances with wealthy individuals, criticizing the high-profile support from billionaires during critical election moments, including Mark Cuban and former Representative Liz Cheney. He proposed a vision for a “reimagined” DNC that would prioritize efforts to support striking workers and labor organization, collaborating with advocacy groups to tackle pressing issues like rent hikes and healthcare inadequacies.
He further suggested that the DNC should actively engage with former Trump supporters who had once sided with Democrats in an effort to unite the party.
While Shakir acknowledges he might be entering the race too late, he believes there is a pressing need for revitalization within the party. “The current atmosphere feels highly fluid, marked by a lack of vigor and direction that many perceive,” he remarked. “Democrats appear to be lost without a strong leadership presence.”
