ATLANTA — As Jaime Harrison concludes his term as chair of the Democratic National Committee, he is downplaying the party’s losses in the November elections to President-elect Donald Trump. Instead, he emphasizes that the Democrats were able to avoid even larger defeats that many ruling parties faced globally.
Harrison acknowledges, however, that there is room for improvement in how Democrats communicate their values and achievements regarding the working class. He advocates for ongoing national investments in party infrastructure and better engagement with newer media platforms. “I’m deeply disappointed that Kamala Harris will not be the next president of the United States,” Harrison remarked during a recent interview, yet he noted that the political landscape is constantly shifting and that the party must brace itself for future changes.
In a memo distributed to party leaders and donors, Harrison outlined similar sentiments. He pointed out that while the Democrats did not meet their objectives, Trump did not secure the backing of over 50% of voters, and his party weathered global challenges that could have intensified their losses. He compared the situation of American Democrats to more significant defeats experienced by ruling parties in other democratic nations throughout the pandemic and rising inflation.
It’s common for party leaders to defend their performance after disappointing elections. Harrison, who was appointed by President Joe Biden to lead the DNC in 2021, along with other prominent Democrats, faced criticism from progressives who feel the party has neglected working-class voters. He mentioned recent victories that included Ruben Gallego and Elissa Slotkin’s triumphs in Arizona and Michigan, as well as the re-elections of Senators Jacky Rosen from Nevada and Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin.
While the GOP succeeded in ousting Democratic senators in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Montana, Harrison reminded that the Republican majority in the House remains tenuous, with Democrats also winning back some Republican-held seats. At the state level, he noted impressive wins in North Carolina and legislative gains in Arkansas, indicating that despite some losses, Democrats made strides. “It was a mixed bag,” he concluded.
The challenge of replicating Trump’s success looms large. Trump achieved victories in all seven battleground states, capturing the popular vote for the first time in his three presidential campaigns. He made significant inroads among key Democratic demographics, particularly people of color, younger voters, and union supporters, garnering an increased share of Black and Latino votes, especially among men under 45. Harrison acknowledged Trump’s ability to disrupt traditional voter coalitions, yet he argued that such coalitions are unlikely to be permanently altered by any singular figure.
“It’s similar to Barack Obama; some political icons can draw diverse coalitions, yet those alliances often crumble once they step away from the forefront,” he explained. To improve the Democrats’ stance, Harrison asserted that the focus should be on effectively communicating their achievements rather than altering policies. He indicated that President Biden’s legislative initiatives—such as tax reforms, infrastructure investments, and pandemic relief—were beneficial for the same working-class voters who previously supported Trump.
Harrison called for a more aggressive outreach strategy to communicate these successes, complimenting Republicans on their adept use of various media channels to engage voters. He expressed a desire to invest time in addressing this issue after stepping down in February, whether through entering conservative spaces or establishing new platforms.
Looking ahead, Harrison is refraining from making endorsements regarding his successor as chair. The DNC members will vote in February, contemplating candidates, including prominent state chairs like Ken Martin from Minnesota and Ben Wikler from Wisconsin. While Harrison navigated the DNC under Biden’s influence, the next chairman will have more independence but also considerable pressure in leading a party without a definitive figurehead.
Additionally, the new chair will play a key role in determining the party’s presidential nominating schedule for 2028. Following Biden’s directive, South Carolina’s primary was moved ahead of Iowa and New Hampshire, while Michigan also secured an early position, giving more diverse states precedence over traditionally white Iowa and New Hampshire. This change came after South Carolina provided Biden with his initial victory in the primaries.
As a native of South Carolina and a member of the Black community, Harrison urged his successor to uphold Biden’s reforms, stressing the significance of Black voters in the party. “We’ve made progress to include a variety of voices in the decision-making process for selecting the most powerful leader globally,” he noted. “Reversing this shift may bring about serious repercussions for our most dedicated voter demographic.”
