Democrats are still feeling the effects of a tough loss to President-elect Donald Trump and his Republican supporters over a month ago, heading towards Inauguration Day as a party without clear leadership and lacking control of the White House and Congress.

“We have no idea what’s coming next,” shared Donna Brazile, a seasoned Democratic strategist and former interim chairwoman of the party, with YSL News. “That’s not something we anticipated.”

Currently, the Democrats lack a unified strategy. For now, their focus is largely on motivation and support from figures like President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who urged party members to remain hopeful at a recent gathering for donors organized by the Democratic National Committee.

“My dad used to say, when you get knocked down, you just have to rise back up,” Biden remarked, referring to his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race this summer after pressure from major contributors. “What defines a person or a party is their ability to recover quickly.”

“Our spirit is unbroken,” Harris asserted, highlighting her party’s struggle, having taken on the presidential nomination from Biden before suffering defeats in all seven key states this fall.

Looking ahead to 2025, here’s what the Democratic Party can expect.

DNC chair race begins anew

A primary task will be to select a new chair following Jamie Harrison’s announcement of his departure before the election results came in.

With no president, House speaker, or Senate majority leader among their ranks, the new chair will become a key representative for the Democratic Party, acting as the main spokesperson leading into the 2026 midterm elections. This role also requires someone capable of recruiting candidates and organizing campaign strategies while attracting significant fundraising.

The chair election is planned for February 1 during the DNC’s winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, and will serve as an early battleground for Democrats to reflect on the events of the 2024 election and explore paths for the future as various factions push for their preferred candidates.

The candidate lineup already includes several contenders such as Ken Martin, the chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party; Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party; former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley; and New York state Senator James Skoufis.

Martin, viewed as a potential frontrunner after garnering endorsements from over 100 DNC members, stated that a key takeaway from this election cycle is how effectively Republicans utilized messaging across unconventional media platforms.

“We need to better connect with voters who don’t rely on traditional news sources,” Martin expressed in a post shared on December 17. “Our messaging must reach far and wide—from social media to podcasts to influencer platforms, and more.”

No DNC autopsy, but audit requests arise

Some within the party are advocating for a thorough examination to identify their failings in the 2024 election results, similar to the analysis Republicans conducted after losing the 2012 presidential race to Barack Obama.

Organizations like Way to Win, a progressive think tank and donation network, have started to share initial exit polling data and are set to provide more analysis in the coming weeks.

In a memo following the election, the organization’s leaders argue that increasing costs and a global shift against current politicians swayed the voters Trump appealed to, rather than a deep ideological shift. They claim that the main issue this cycle was the Democratic Party’s inability to present a “clear and compelling narrative about why people were still feeling so unhappy,” despite improvements in the economy.

The memo also points out the lack of offering voters “a clear antagonist to be accountable for their ongoing struggles.”

“History shows that some leaders will analyze our findings and might disagree,” said Tory Gavito, founder of Way to Win. “Instead of engaging in constructive discussions to build new partnerships, they might separate and develop their own groups. Now is not the time for divisions within the anti-MAGA coalition.”

Meanwhile, some Democrats are calling for a detailed review of Harris’ campaign spending for the 2024 election, especially after concerns were raised about the effectiveness of investing millions in large rallies with celebrities instead of focusing on grassroots efforts.

However, political parties often avoid public investigations, which can lead to blame games. For example, the DNC did not conduct a review after Hillary Clinton’s loss in 2016, and the GOP also skipped a thorough examination following Trump’s defeat in 2020.

Rep. Ro Khanna, a progressive Democrat from California and an adviser to Harris, believes that a formal analysis would be fruitless and suggests that Democrats should engage in a reflective discussion on how to better connect with voters.

“Our party should be champions of free speech, embracing all ideas, and not judging individuals for differing opinions or using unconventional language,” he expressed.

What’s Next for Harris: Governor of California or Another Presidential Bid?

As the 2024 presidential race nears, many Democrats are curious about what Kamala Harris will decide to do after being nominated by her party with only a few months left in the campaign.

The vice president, now 60, has maintained a low profile since her defeat to Trump in November. However, during a brief address last Tuesday, she motivated supporters by stating, “We must continue to fight,” assuring “no one can step back” from the battles ahead.

Her statements might hint at either a potential third presidential run or a return to California to vie for the governorship in 2026. This position is attractive for Harris as the current Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, is limited by term, and she’s successfully won statewide elections twice as attorney general in 2010 and 2014, and once for the U.S. Senate in 2016.

While aiming to be the head of the nation’s most populous state could complicate a 2026 presidential campaign, it mirrors the strategy of former President Richard Nixon. After a close loss to John F. Kennedy in 1960, Nixon ran for governor in California, lost in 1962, and eventually won the presidency in 1968.

No matter her choice, Harris’ forthcoming decision will significantly impact her and her party’s future.

“She shouldn’t view it as just a consolation after losing to Trump,” stated George Skelton, a political columnist for the Los Angeles Times. “Nor should she see it as merely a step back to the presidency. California voters would likely sense such sentiments and might not support her.”

Democrats’ Approach: Resistance or Collaboration with Trump 2.0

How will Democrats handle Trump’s return to power?

Many within the party, particularly progressive House members and urban mayors, may instinctively oppose any actions taken by Trump’s upcoming administration, especially regarding his plans for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.

Recently, House Democrats collaborated to reject a government funding bill endorsed by Trump that aimed to get the nation through the early days of his administration. This bill included a last-minute suggestion to extend the government’s borrowing limit until after the 2026 mid-term elections. Congress ultimately passed a spending package that did not incorporate Trump’s provision. Many in the party have indicated their opposition to Trump’s return, with some refusing to attend the inauguration.

Conversely, some Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts, have shown a readiness to negotiate with Trump, potentially supporting some of his policy initiatives. Warren, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, suggested that if Elon Musk, now co-leading the new Department…

As part of efforts to enhance Government Efficiency, there’s a push to eliminate unnecessary spending within the Pentagon. “Count me in,” said supporters.

A generational conflict arises as Democrats prepare for 2026 and beyond

During the previous election cycle, concerns about President Biden’s age were prevalent, with many Democrats believing that an older incumbent might struggle to engage younger voters and navigate the challenges ahead.

Looking towards future elections, the Democratic Party boasts a strong lineup of Generation X and millennial leaders eager to take over from the current older generation.

A recent skirmish reflecting this generational divide unfolded in the House this week, where 35-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., sought to become the top Democrat on the influential Oversight Committee but faced off against 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-V.A. for the position.

However, her attempt was denied by House Democrats, leading to backlash from younger progressive voices on social media who pointed out that this highlights the ongoing age-related issues that surfaced during the 2024 elections.

“I did my best,” Ocasio-Cortez remarked on the social platform Bluesky. “Sorry I couldn’t make it happen for everyone — we will continue to fight another day.”

Regardless of this setback, it seems a generational transition may be on the horizon for the Democrats. Upcoming races for the Senate and governorships in key states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan might provide younger leaders with valuable opportunities.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 42, recently shared with YSL News that he is “ready to catch (his) breath,” but his name has come up as a potential candidate for the governor of Michigan. In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore, 46, has generated excitement among observers; sports writer Jemele Hill remarked earlier this year, “If there were Vegas odds on a future president, I’d place them on him. He has the potential.”

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, 47, has been appointed to lead as the party’s top fundraiser and recruiter for the 2026 elections. Other prominent Democrats looking for fresh leadership include outgoing Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, 53, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, 51, who was overlooked for Harris’s potential vice presidential candidacy, along with Gavin Newsom, 57, who is frequently regarded as a likely successor for national Democratic leadership.

As Democrats seek new talent, Republicans seem ready to pass leadership to a younger group as well, especially with Trump’s term concluding in January 2029. Notably, Vice President-elect JD Vance is 40, and Donald Trump Jr., also touted as a successor by his father, is 46.

“I hope we can change the narrative and not stick to old scripts,” said Brazille, the former DNC chair. “It’s all about creativity and not just repeating the past.”