Minnesota DFL Party Chair Ken Martin announced on Tuesday morning that he is running for chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), with the election set to take place in early 2025. Martin’s bid comes as current DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, who has held the position since 2021, has decided not to seek a second term. Harrison likely stepped down or was forced out by Democrats after a horrible performance and a landslide victory for the GOP two weeks ago. Martin, who is seeking to lead the national party through a period of rebuilding after the Democratic Party’s significant losses, enters the race with at least 83 endorsements from current DNC members. However, Martin is not the only candidate in the mix. Other potential contenders in this race include Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party; Michael Blake, a former New York State Assembly member and former vice chair of the DNC; and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. The decision on the next DNC chair will ultimately be made by approximately 450 voting members of the committee.
Martin, a Minnesota Native, began his political career in 1990 as an intern with Paul Wellstone’s campaign for the U.S. Senate. His dedication to the Democratic Party quickly propelled him forward, and by 1998, he had become the Political and Field Director for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party. In 2000, Martin served as the Deputy Minnesota State Director for the Al Gore presidential campaign, further sharpening his leadership and organizational skills. Two years later, he took on the role of campaign manager for Buck Humphrey’s bid for Secretary of State. Martin continued his political trajectory by helping manage John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign in Minnesota.
By 2011, Martin had risen to lead the Minnesota state party and in 2017 he began serving as the vice chairman of the national party. Martin’s influence extended further when he became the leader of the Association of State Democratic Chairs, a position he has held for six terms, lobbying for state parties within the national committee. In his announcement video, Martin stated, “If you’re looking for a creature of DC, that’s not me, but I do know how the DNC works — and how it isn’t working.” His deep-rooted experience in both state and national politics positions him for a challenging but ambitious race as he seeks to advance his long and storied career in the swamp.
As the 2026 and 2028 elections approach, Democrats must prioritize the core issues that truly matter to the American people if they hope to secure victory. For too long, it has seemed like the party was willing to say or do anything just to win votes. The upcoming years will be critical in determining how the party restructures itself and which leaders they choose to carry it forward. If Democrats can shift their focus from short-term tactics to address the pressing concerns of citizens, they will be in a much stronger position to win over voters and ensure success in future elections. Ultimately, the party’s ability to align its actions with the true needs of the people will be the key to its success.
