Seven sitting governors are supporting Wisconsin Democratic Party National Committee Chair Ben Wikler. Four of them are eligible to vote in the party’s primary election.
In the first announcements shared with ABC news, Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Tina Ketek of Kentucky, Michelle Lujan Grisham of Kentucky, New Mexico, Maine Brain of Maine and Janet Mills of Maine Lauded Wikler as experienced organizers and unifiers. Kelly, Beshear, Lujan Grisham and Whitmer are among 448 DNC members slated to vote against the president next week.
When the governors joined their state representatives in their support, Wikler and in this race, the presidents of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Ken Martin and Martin O’Malley.
Kelly said Wikler is a “commonsense leader” of the party and urged “every member who votes in Kansas to vote for him.”
“Democratic governors continue to win in battle and in deep red states, we need a DNC chair who understands the importance of ensuring Democratic governors are some of the strongest voices in our party and who will invest in our 38 critical races. We also know the governor over the next two years, for example, if we’re going to win over key voters, we need to get back to talking about the core issues … in a way that will really resonate,” Kelly said.
Michigan’s Whitmer said he believes Wikler can create victories for Democrats at all levels of government.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the Detroit Auto Show on Jan. 15, 2025, in Detroit.
Jose Juarez / AP
Whitmer, President Donald Trump has won twice in two terms. He has been the 2028 presidential candidate and has been running for President Joe Biden in 2024.
“As the governor of Michigan, I have won by working for people in our neighboring state. Our next chair must be a leader who can do that: get our party together, organize and talk to the voters to win the vote with the voters up and down,” said Whitmer. Ben has my vote, and I encourage my fellow Michiganders to support me next week. “
Another name that has been floated as a party leader is Beshear, former president Kamala Harris Mate short list. Beshear said he believes Wikler can unify the Reconstruction Democratic Party and raise the resources necessary to win.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear attends a panel session at the 55th Annual World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 on January 23 in Davos, Switzerland.
Michael Bohohiczer / Epa-EFE / Shutterstock
“There are other good leaders in this race, but I will BOT for the DNC chair and encourage the entire Kentucky delegation to join me because we need a leader who gets what it takes to compete only in blue states. Deep reds and battleground states as well,” Beshear said. . “As president of Wisdems, Ben Wikler has shown that when you unite our party, the historic resources necessary to invest in governor’s races and the speakers to speak every day about the challenges that Democrats face every day everywhere, you can win.”
Lujan Grisham echoed Wikler’s sentiment that governments will value and invest in.
“I’m going to vote for Ben Wikler for the DNC chair because he’s proven that he knows how to raise historic funds to find candidates and bring them down. Win across the country,” said Lujan Grisham.
Kotek offered similar praise, calling Wikler “the change the Democratic Party needs.”
“The next leader of the DNC must have the experience to get our party back and deliver it to the people to work with. I’m asking Oregon DNC members and people across the country to Crush Me to support Ben for DNC chair,” Kotek said.
Earlier in the race, Gov. Also home to Tony Wikler’s Wisconsin residence okay Wikler’s Run.
Both governors will be running for governor, and Democrats are playing competitively in both — namely, continuing to flip New Jersey and Virginia. These races will be a large-scale electoral test for the party since its losses last November.
Support from the governor’s slate indicated that Wikle’s and O’Malley’s groups would put the Wisconsin Party chairman behind them. A month earlier, O’Malley’s team confirmed, “This is a three-way race and we’re not in third place.”
Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O’Malley testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 20, 2024.
I curtis / ap
These warnings are just days away after the Martin said he has secured 200 electoral votes, which he has predicted in the distant race, as he has predicted in the race so far, quickly approaching the 225 votes needed to win. (Martin currently has most of the public notices.)
But Wikler and O’Malley disputed the assertion, accusing him of inflating Martin’s count and obfuscating the process. Wikler received the support of four powerful public sector unions and Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer.
Wikler also came out with his team’s internal rumor mill for the first time in the race this week, claiming the support of 131 members. O’Malley’s campaign says he has 100 sides.
Wikler previously said he would not release details about his internal rumor count. But in several series Social Media Posts On Wednesday night, Wikler said it was par for the course, taking the veiled swipe at Martin and citing a campaign statement from O’Malley.
Ken Martin, Chairman of the Association of Democratic State Committees, will discuss the 2024 Democratic National Convention at a news conference on April 18, 2024.
Ashlee Rezin / Chicago Sun-Times via AP
“Tonight, I held back my buzzer,” Wikler said. “But another candidate blasted several other campaigners, including, ‘Contempt for the 448 voting members of the DNC. Many of them still make up their minds.'”
He continued, “At a time of national crisis, DNC members deserve to choose the next chair based on vision and record, not campaign whispers and attempts to manufacture an illusion of inevitability.”
However, the campaign isn’t exactly backing the bids, and there are other long-trial candidates in the running who could poach a number of members along the way. It’s unclear if the candidate will get the majority of votes to win on the first ballot, opening up the race and giving members a chance on subsequent ballots.
Wikler said it is an “honor” to have the endorsement of these governors, who he said are “some of the most important Democratic voices in the country.”
“Government Democrats present a model for Democrats to compete and win in the toughest states in the country,” Wikler said, “and we need to invest their leadership in a way that reflects their omnipotence as messengers and leaders. I’m. I’m. I’m ready to roll the map and win.” together.”
