In a significant announcement from Washington, the chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) revealed that the party will select its next leader in February. This upcoming election will be crucial in determining the party’s image as it prepares for another term under Donald Trump.
Jaime Harrison communicated the election timeline in a letter addressed to the influential Rules & Bylaws Committee members. According to Harrison, the committee will organize four forums for potential candidates throughout January, with some being in-person and others held virtually. The decisive voting will take place on February 1 during the party’s winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland.
The selection of the new DNC chair comes shortly after Trump’s inauguration for a second term, making it a pivotal moment for the Democrats, especially following the anticipated loss of Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. This leadership choice will serve as a critical first step for the party to strategize its opposition to Trump and to act on any existing structural challenges.
On December 12, members of the Rules & Bylaws Committee will convene to establish the electoral rules, which will not only pertain to the chair seat but also include positions such as vice chairs, treasurer, secretary, and national finance chair. During this meeting, they will outline the criteria for candidates to secure a spot on the ballot for these significant leadership roles. In 2021, it was mandated that candidates submit a nominating statement accompanied by signatures from 40 DNC members, a standard that is expected to remain in place for the upcoming contests in 2025.
Harrison expressed the DNC’s commitment to a fair and transparent election process in his statement. He emphasized that electing the chair and officers is one of the party’s most vital duties, and the staff is dedicated to facilitating an inclusive approach that allows party members to familiarize themselves with the candidates before making their choices.
Currently, two prominent Democrats have declared their candidacies for the DNC chair position: Ken Martin, who leads the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and serves as a vice chair of the national organization, and Martin O’Malley, the former governor of Maryland and current commissioner of the Social Security Administration.
Additionally, several other notable Democrats are contemplating candidacies or are encouraged to run by party insiders. This list includes former Texas Representative Beto O’Rourke, former vice chair Michael Blake, Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler, Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan and ex-mayor of Chicago, and Michigan Senate majority whip Rep. Mallory McMorrow, along with strategist Chuck Rocha.
The incoming chair will face the challenge of rejuvenating a party feeling disheartened by Trump’s recent electoral successes, while also managing the intricate and sometimes contentious process of the 2028 presidential nominating sequence, which will further position the chair at the heart of future electoral strategies.
Harrison reassured the Rules Committee that the candidate forums would be live-streamed, allowing grassroots Democrats nationwide to engage in the selection process. He affirmed his intention to maintain neutrality throughout the chair election, ensuring a fair contest ahead.