Democrats will begin the process of rebuilding their leadership Thursday evening when a subcommittee of the Democratic National Committee meets in Washington to set the rules for electing a new party chairman to replace Jamie Harrison.
The DNC’s Rules and Regulations Committee will establish procedural guidelines to direct the campaign and fundraising arm of the self-reflectively muddled national party to the heated race and point the finger at Joe Biden and Kamala’s weaknesses and lapses. Harris’ bid for the White House and who should take the blame.
Some of the details that will be revealed on Thursday include four candidate forums, actually mini-debates, when they will take place and if any of them will be moderated on live television, as well as voting and voting procedures. Running this election will be one of the last acts of the current RBC, led by Minyon Moore and Jim Roosevelt Jr., as a new party chair could shake up the membership.
And candidates have just eight weeks to make their case to the body’s 447 members to elect their new leader on February 1.
In this Aug. 18, 2024, file photo, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison looks on during final preparations for the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago.
Francis Chung/Politico via AP, FILE
The field, which currently consists of five men — four white and one Latino — could be even more crowded in the new year. But for now, these are the declared candidates: Ken Martin, chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party; the former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley; New York State Senator James Skoufis; and Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler. And former Department of Homeland Security employee Nate Snyder announced his bid Wednesday.
In order to join the upcoming forums, these candidates need at least 40 members to support their bid via application.
Many of the candidates are expected to be at Thursday’s meeting.
Candidates for public office – or perhaps the school board – hire a staff, launch their websites, hand out jokes and start working behind the phones to get the nearly 230 votes needed to win. Martin’s crew, for example, is nicknamed KNOT — Ken’s National Organizing Team.
Perhaps the most familiar name to DNC members is Martin, who serves as the organization’s vice chair along with his DFL role. He is also a member of RBC, with a long association with state and local party building. Martin’s campaign confirmed to ABC News that it has more than 100 endorsements from DNC members.
Wikler, another Midwesterner, also has a significant name, and is a popular pick across the party spectrum, endorsed on the same day by centrist groups Third Way and left-leaning groups like MoveOn and Bold Progressive. Wikler also joined Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show” earlier this week.
“Ben is an unstoppable unifier, organizer and messenger who knows how to win tough elections,” Brianna Johnson, spokeswoman for DNC Chair Ben Wikler, told ABC News. “Since he became president of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin — in a 50-50 state — Wisconsin Democrats have won more money in 7 of the last 10 races than any other statewide party in the same period, and have taken back power in a state once controlled by Republicans.” .
In this Sept. 11, 2024, file photo, Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images, FILE
O’Malley and Skoufis have also appeared on cable news to boost their bids, saying they don’t owe Washington’s donor class.
Inside, Martin’s network works to his advantage, said one DNC member who knows the candidates closely, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about the process.
“He’s been working the phones with tons of calls to DNC members, and he has a strong alternate campaign to do the same. It appears that his network as ASDC chair is working to his advantage, although it appears that he may have hit a wall with endorsements,” the DNC member said.
In contrast, the same member says they and other members they’ve spoken with have yet to hear from O’Malley by phone — only by text.
“I haven’t heard of anyone who has spoken to anyone, other than the Martin and Wikler campaigns who are actively polling,” said the DNC member.
An O’Malley aide told ABC News that the former Maryland governor recently resigned as commissioner of the Social Security Administration to pursue the DNC role, and his team is working to reach all 447 members.
“Democrats are looking for an operative leader and in this contest it’s Martin O’Malley,” the aide said. “He presents himself as a change maker, not a caretaker, as a mayor, governor and commissioner to help people succeed.” said the assistant.
A dark horse candidate can also shake up the dynamic, leaving room for a wide run. The DNC’s executive committee will meet on Friday, though little news is expected from that smaller meeting.
