Following their defeat in the presidential election last fall, Democrats faced harsh criticism from both within their ranks and from outside observers for their failure to connect with the working class. This sparked discussions among analysts and strategists over accountability and strategies to regain the support of blue-collar voters.

Instead of falling into a divisive ideological battle, the competition to succeed Jaime Harrison as chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is largely characterized by two amicable Midwesterners working to capitalize on their established relationships and records from their home states.

The frontrunner for the position, Ben Wikler, Wisconsin’s Democratic Party Chair, has secured endorsements from progressive organizations like MoveOn and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, as well as the centrist group Third Way.

Casey Burgat, who directs the legislative affairs program at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Management, remarked that the ongoing DNC leadership contest signals a shift towards a more pragmatic approach.

“The fact that this race has not erupted into ideological conflict indicates that party leaders have moved beyond the instant reactions following the election and are concentrating on what they can control: enhancing the party’s infrastructure, improving outreach, and developing a successful strategy for 2026 and later,” he explained.

The selection of the new DNC chair will take place during a gathering of 448 party officials at the winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland on February 1. This marks the first significant action for the party in 2025 after Donald Trump and his Republican affiliates regained control of the White House and Senate last month. Currently, Democrats are also in the minority in the House of Representatives.

“I don’t want to exaggerate, but the party is in a tough situation right now—we’re completely powerless,” stated Michael Feldman, a former senior adviser to Vice President Al Gore. “There’s a lot of work ahead.”

Amid Trump’s return to prominence in Washington, Democrats are planning various discussions throughout January to listen to eight candidates vying to revitalize the party’s fortunes.

This political landscape feels familiar to liberals, who lost influence when the GOP dominated both the presidency and Congress in 2004 and 2016. However, analysts note that the current situation presents unique challenges, including a fragmented media environment, escalating misinformation, and an electoral shift that necessitates a more sophisticated coalition.

Addressing the enthusiasm gap among younger and progressive voters is a major concern—evident in the Democratic ticket receiving approximately 6.2 million fewer votes than in 2020.

“A capable chair who can unify resources and engage diverse groups within the party might distinguish between a Democratic revival and another cycle of squandered chances,” Burgat commented.

Ken vs. Ben: leading candidates highlight differences in state achievements and endorsements

Most analysts believe that Ken Martin, Chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and Wikler are the top contenders, as their current positions have enabled them to build substantial networks with party leaders and significant donors.

Martin, 51, who claims to have backing from over 100 DNC members, mentioned to YSL News that there isn’t much political discord among those competing for the chair position.

“It’s crucial to note that I’m not about winning arguments,” he clarified. “Many voices in D.C. are eager to offer hot takes and demonstrate their insight on the election. I have no desire to engage in that.”

The key differences between Martin and Wikler largely center around their records, access to donors, and connections within the DNC.

Supporters of Martin proudly point out that Minnesota Democrats have not lost a statewide election since he assumed leadership in 2011, achieving a number of progressive policies while taking control of state governance twice.

On the other hand, advocates of Wikler argue that his established connections provide him with national relevance across the party’s ideological spectrum, asserting that as the only candidate from a swing state, he has a strategy for winning tight races.

Ken Martin has secured endorsements from four complete state DNC delegations this week including Missouri, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Additionally, he has the backing of party chairs from Virginia, Arizona, and Texas.

On the other hand, Ben Wikler, 43, hasn’t revealed his current support in terms of DNC member votes, but he has significant backing including close ties with billionaire Reid Hoffman, a co-founder of LinkedIn, who has invested millions in the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Wikler also recently obtained an endorsement from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the highest-ranking Democrat to endorse any candidate so far.

Schumer highlighted Wikler’s ability to garner diverse support within the party and credited him for retaining a Senate seat and flipping 14 state legislative seats.

“Ben has demonstrated the results Democrats need at this moment, which is why I’m supporting him,” Schumer stated in his Jan. 2 announcement.

Wikler’s strong connections position him as a powerful contender, but such affiliations could work against him if the chair race evolves into a battle between the establishment and grassroots leaders who harbor longstanding frustrations about the DNC’s operations and its closeness to large donors.

Nina Turner, who once co-chaired Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign in 2020, insisted that the incoming chair must not overlook the errors made in 2024. She emphasized the necessity for someone bold enough to distance the party from “dark money” organizations—non-profits that can spend on campaigns without revealing their donors—in Democratic primaries and to cut ties with consultants who did not succeed in defeating Trump, despite record fundraising by the Harris-Walz campaign.

“The next chair should evaluate every consultant who worked on Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign and ensure they are no longer hired,” Turner stated. “If you can’t win an election with a billion dollars, you certainly can’t win.”

Challengers propose changes with endorsements and bold ideas

Aside from the two candidates from the Midwest, the remaining contenders are articulating their visions while working to win over various party factions through endorsements or bold proposals.

Leading the pack is Martin O’Malley, the former Governor of Maryland, boasting at least 60 DNC members endorsing him. He recently announced support from both past and present members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including former Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge from Ohio and Rep. Bennie Thompson from Mississippi, who co-led the House investigations into the Jan. 6, 2021 incident at the U.S. Capitol.

The 61-year-old former mayor of Baltimore shared in an interview with YSL News that the party should re-establish its focus on economic security, beginning with local officials who he believes maintain the most significant connection with voters.

“I hold experience as an elected official,” O’Malley explained. “We need to bring our governors, mayors, and county officials into discussions to help us engage with and reconnect with Americans. These relationships are crucial based on shared experiences of campaigning.”

If elected chair, O’Malley, who was a commissioner in the Biden administration’s Social Security Administration until last November, aims for the DNC to operate with greater transparency regarding its spending and decision processes, while also improving its digital communication. He stressed the importance of a thorough evaluation of the 2024 campaign to comprehend why working-class Americans of “all ethnic backgrounds” felt neglected by Democrats.

“Only by demonstrating to one another—and to those who contributed hard-earned money to the party—that we have learned from our past failures and made necessary changes, can we begin to restore the trust we need to succeed,” O’Malley remarked.

The other candidates for the DNC chair position are mainly viewed as underdogs, including Marianne Williamson, an author and past presidential hopeful; Nate Snyder, formerly of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Quintessa Hathaway, a previous congressional candidate from Arkansas; and Jason Paul, an attorney from Massachusetts.

Among the lesser-known candidates, New York state Sen. James Skoufis, who claims to have support from at least 23 DNC members as their top choice, is actively campaigning as a leftist populist.

During a DNC labor council forum on Jan. 6 where

Nearly 2,000 individuals joined the online event, during which the 37-year-old lawmaker took a firm stance. He urged the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to “discard the consultant class” and criticized Wikler for allowing Wisconsin to be won by Trump, while he proudly mentioned his victory in a state legislative district where he outperformed the president-elect by 14%, relative to Kamala Harris who lagged by 12%.

Positioning himself as an outsider, Skoufis explained to YSL News that the party has created a “trust gap” with working Americans, highlighted by the fact that traditional Democratic supporters like firefighters and Teamsters unions chose not to endorse anyone in last year’s presidential election.

If he gets elected, Skoufis aims to invest significantly in predominantly red states and districts, reassess the “strained relationship” with Black and Hispanic voters, and improve compensation for DNC employees.

He emphasized that, rather than engaging in ideological conflicts, Democrats in 2025 should adapt to the culture and communication styles of workers in construction sites and diners, as much as those in academia at prestigious universities.

“I truly believe that we’ve fallen into a pattern of being too academic in our communication, which can make voters perceive us as better suited for roles in universities rather than in public office,” Skoufis said in his conversation with YSL News.

“Therefore, we need to refine our messaging, be more strategic, and gauge the sentiments of our audience.”

What Lies Ahead?

The party is organizing four official forums to address each region of the country until January. Two will be hosted online via YouTube on January 11 and January 23, while the remaining two will occur in person in Detroit on January 16 and Washington on January 23, with specific locations to be disclosed later.

According to party officials, these forums will allow “grassroots Democrats” to interact with the eight candidates vying for the chair position. However, the emphasis will be on the inquiries and issues relevant to DNC members, who are the ones responsible for the final decision.

To win, a candidate needs to secure a majority of votes from members. If no candidate achieves a majority on the initial ballot, further rounds of voting will take place, with the candidate who receives the lowest votes being eliminated in each subsequent round.