DNC chair election kicks off as Martin O'Malley enters the race

Source: CNN Politics

Published 6:49 PM EST, Mon November 18, 2024


CNN — Martin O’Malley, the former Maryland governor and commissioner of the Social Security Administration, on Monday became the first person to announce a bid to lead the Democratic National Committee as the party plots a post-election path forward.

“We must organize in every state and speak to the economic concerns of every person in America,” O’Malley said in a statement provided to CNN. “Jobs, opportunity, economic security for all. These are the goals of our Party and these are the things that make our country stronger.”

The former 2016 presidential candidate’s announcement kicks off the sprint to the committee’s election of its next leader. The decision – which will be made by the roughly 450 members of the Democratic National Committee early next year – comes as Democrats seek to regroup and rebrand after a devastating election cycle for their party, with Republicans reclaiming the presidency and the US Senate and holding on to the US House.

With no Democrat leading from the White House, the next chair will become the face, and voice, of the party. The future chair will also oversee the debate around the party’s 2028 presidential primary calendar. Democrats’ rules panel will hold a meeting next month to discuss the process for electing the next chair, who will replace outgoing leader Jaime Harrison. Democrats have not selected a date, but the new chair must be elected by March 1. O’Malley is the first declared candidate in what is expected to be a crowded field.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/politics/dnc-chair-race-martin-o-malley/index.html