The Way Forward

Even with Shakir’s late entry, Martin appears to have the advantage heading into the elections on Saturday, when the 450 voting members of the DNC will convene in National Harbor, Maryland, to choose their next chairperson and fill several other key leadership positions.
Martin claimed last week that he had already secured the support of at least 200 members, putting him within striking distance of the majority needed to win, but Wikler and other candidates have questioned that whip count.

A spokesperson for Martin O’Malley, the former Maryland governor who appears to be running third in the chair race, told ABC News last week that “not a single soul running for any DNC office” believes [Ken] Martin’s whip count.
Wikler said on Tuesday that he had the support of at least 183 members, putting him not far behind Martin, and he insisted he had the momentum heading into Saturday’s vote. After already securing the support of Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, Wikler also received a last-minute boost from Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, who endorsed him on Wednesday.

Still, Martin has racked up a string of endorsements from party leaders like Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota and former vice-presidential nominee, and his long-running ties with the DNC may push him over the finish line.

“In Minnesota, Ken has built a national model for how to elect Democrats in a competitive state,” Walz said in his endorsement. “I have seen Ken’s leadership in action, and it’s exactly what we need from our next DNC chair.”
February 1, 2025 – Election to be held by party voting members at the DNC's Winter Meeting.[3]
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