The Democratic National Committee (DNC) officially removed 25-year-old activist David Hogg from his vice chair position on Wednesday, a move directly stemming from his controversial plans to fund primary challenges against incumbent Democrats in the 2026 elections. The decision, made via a virtual vote, marks a significant moment of internal party strife as the DNC navigates the aspirations of a younger generation of leaders.
Hogg’s removal follows weeks of escalating tension after he announced intentions to spend an estimated $20 million of DNC funds to bolster younger Democratic leaders and unseat select sitting House officials in reliably blue districts. While the specific targets remained unnamed, the strategy was designed to avoid jeopardizing Democrats in tough re-election battles against Republicans.
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The ambitious plan quickly drew sharp criticism from DNC members and other prominent Democrats. The backlash was so strong that the DNC moved in May to void the results of Hogg’s initial election to the vice chair role, necessitating a new vote and bringing the matter before the full DNC membership.
Adding to the internal turmoil, leaked audio from a May 15 Zoom meeting revealed DNC Chair Ken Martin expressing profound frustration and uncertainty about his leadership, directly linking it to the infighting ignited by Hogg’s decisions. Martin, who assumed the chairmanship in February, confessed, “I’ll be very honest with you, for the first time in my 100 days on this job … the other night I said to myself for the first time, I don’t know if I wanna do this anymore.”
During the private discussion, Martin reportedly confronted Hogg, stating that he had “essentially destroyed” the DNC chair’s opportunity to demonstrate leadership. “No one knows who the hell I am, right? I’m trying to get my sea legs underneath of me and actually develop any amount of credibility so I can go out there and raise the money and do the job I need to to put ourselves in a position to win,” Martin told Hogg, adding, “And, again, I don’t think you intended this, but you essentially destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to. So it’s really frustrating.”
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Hogg has yet to issue a public statement regarding his removal. However, he reposted an endorsement from Nevada Democratic National Committee (DNC) Committeewoman Samantha Crunkilton, who expressed her continued support for his re-election.
“Unfortunately, the report was approved. I’m excited and proud to endorse and vote for my friend, @davidhogg111, for DNC Vice Chair!” Crunkilton wrote. “He is pushing our party to be better and doing the hard work it takes to save our democracy. I hope my fellow DNC members will join me in this vote.”
The DNC will now hold a new election for the first male vice chair from June 12 to June 14, followed by a second vote for an additional vice chair from June 15 to June 17. The upcoming elections will likely be closely watched as the DNC grapples with internal divisions and the path forward for the party.
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