The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will select its new chair and other key officers during the party’s winter meeting on February 1 at National Harbor, Maryland. The elections will decide the DNC’s leadership team for the coming years, including roles such as chair, vice chairs, treasurer, secretary, and national finance chair, according to an official press release.
Current DNC Chair Jamie Harrison announced he will not seek a second term, paving the way for new leadership. Harrison confirmed the DNC will host four forums—both in-person and virtual—to give the 448 voting DNC members an opportunity to engage directly with candidates.
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“As my time as Chair comes to a close and we prepare to undertake the critical work of holding the Trump Administration and Republican Party accountable for their extremism and false promises, we are beginning to lay out the process for upcoming DNC officer elections in the New Year. The DNC is committed to running a transparent, equitable, and impartial election for the next generation of leadership to guide the party forward,” Harrison said in a release.
Election Process and Timeline
The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee will meet on December 12 to establish the procedures for nominating and electing party officers. The committee will present these “Rules of Procedure” to the full membership during the winter meeting starting January 30. Candidates must collect signatures from 40 DNC members to appear on the ballot, continuing a threshold introduced in 2021.
The DNC’s voting membership comprises:
- 200 state-elected members from 57 states and territories,
- Representatives from 16 affiliate groups, and
- 73 at-large members elected by the DNC itself.
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Candidates for Chair
Two prominent figures have declared their candidacy for the chair position:
- Martin O’Malley, former Maryland Governor and current Social Security Administration Commissioner, was the first to announce his bid. “We must connect our Party with the most important place in America — the kitchen table of every family’s home. Jobs, Opportunity, and Economic Security for all. A 50-state strategy. Now,” O’Malley wrote on social media platform X.
- Ken Martin, current vice chair of the DNC and chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, also entered the race. Martin has already secured endorsements from 83 DNC members and pledged to rebuild the party through a unifying strategy. “When I took over [Minnesota DFL], we were in debt and disarray. But we brought people together, built a winning coalition, and delivered results,” Martin stated.
The upcoming elections mark a critical juncture for the DNC as it prepares to navigate the challenges posed by a newly elected Trump administration. With a focus on revitalizing the party’s message and strategy, the incoming leadership will be tasked with energizing Democratic voters and reinforcing the party’s nationwide infrastructure ahead of the 2026 midterms.
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