Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Get together Chairman Ken Martin has been elected chairman of the Democratic Nationwide Committee.
Martin secured 246.5 votes of the whole 428 members who voted in particular person and by proxy, and DNC members cheered after he was introduced because the winner, chanting, “Sure, we Ken!”
“Ken Martin is now the Chair of the Democratic Get together,” outgoing DNC Chairman Jamie Harrison mentioned upon studying the vote depend.
Ken Martin, president of the Affiliation of State Democratic Committees, discusses the 2024 Democratic Nationwide Conference throughout a information convention, April 18, 2024.
Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Solar-Instances by way of AP
Runner-up Ben Wikler, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Get together, obtained 134.5 votes, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley obtained 44 votes and 4 individuals abstained.
Faiz Shakir obtained two votes, Jason Paul obtained one vote and there have been no votes for Nate Snyder, Quintessa Hathaway or Marianne Williamson.
“We’ve got one staff: the Democratic Get together. We’ve got one combat. … The combat is for our values. The combat is for working individuals. The combat proper now could be towards Donald Trump and the billionaires who purchased this nation,” Martin mentioned in his victory speech.
In a gathering with reporters instantly after his win, Martin informed ABC Information his first three priorities are establishing a fast response “warfare room” to message towards Trump and outline the social gathering’s agenda, starting the method of reviewing the social gathering’s technique that led to its losses within the White Home and Congress and conducting a assessment of the social gathering’s funds.
Martin mentioned his posture will likely be aggressive towards Trump and main Republicans in Washington, claiming he’d “take the low highway so my candidates and elected officers can take the excessive highway.”
“Which means, I will throw a punch,” Martin mentioned. “So Donald Trump, Republican Get together — this can be a new DNC. We’re not going to sit down again and never take you on if you fail the American individuals.”
After the tally was introduced, Democratic governors, among the highest profile of whom endorsed Wikler within the race, provided Martin congratulations.
“I can not wait to work collectively to unite the Democratic Get together, combat for working households, and win,” posted Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who supported Wikler.
On this June 8, 2024, file picture, WisDems Chair Ben Wikler speaks through the WisDems 2024 State Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Daniel Boczarski/Getty Pictures for The Democratic Get together of Wisconsin, FILE
Martin additionally obtained reward from his residence governor, Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee this cycle. Walz was an outlier amongst his fellow governors in backing Martin over Wikler.
“Congratulations, Ken!” Walz posted on X.
A number of social gathering heavyweights endorsed Wikler within the closing days of the election, together with former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer. When requested what his victory means regardless of these leaders endorsing his challenger, Martin mentioned he does not see their assist for Wikler as “private” and appears ahead to working with these Democratic leaders.
“This isn’t private. We’re all on the identical staff. It is one staff, one combat now, proper? I’ve longstanding relationships within the social gathering, and on the finish of the day, I’m buoyed by that enthusiastic assist. It was a one-ballot victory for a purpose,” Martin mentioned.
In the meantime, Martin earned last-minute backing from a few of his fellow candidates for chair. Of their closing speeches on Saturday, creator and spiritualist Marianne Williamson and Nate Snyder, a former Division of Homeland Safety official, publicly endorsed Martin.
“In contribution to what I really feel is our greatest likelihood to intervene, our greatest likelihood to chop the twine with the billionaire funded corruption that can in any other case impede and restrict our prospects, I heartily endorse Ken Martin,” Williamson mentioned throughout her deal with to the DNC.
(L-R) Former US President Invoice Clinton, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attend the inauguration ceremonies within the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Pictures
Biden and Harris chime in
Forward of the vote, delegates and members heard from a number of Democratic elected officers and social gathering leaders, probably the most notable being former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who every submitted a video proven to the group. Neither Biden nor Harris endorsed within the race.
In his video, Biden inspired Democrats to prepare towards the “oligarchy” he mentioned is forming within the U.S.
“Immediately, an oligarchy is taking form in America. An oligarchy of utmost wealth and energy and affect that threatens the complete democracy — our primary rights and freedoms and a good shot for everybody to get forward,” Biden mentioned.
“That is our activity of Democrats: to prepare, to mobilize, to recruit people to run, to empower extra Individuals to imagine the America of our goals is nearer than we predict,” he added.
An eruption of cheers then emanated when Harris, the social gathering’s closing 2024 presidential nominee, appeared on the display screen. She remarked on the way forward for the social gathering, claiming Democratic infrastructure nonetheless holds significance and that she will likely be concerned in its subsequent steps.
Harris had calls with Martin, Wikler and O’Malley forward of Saturday’s vote, although she didn’t endorse within the race. And through the press gaggle, Martin mentioned he had a “nice” dialog along with her, and hopes Harris performs a “huge function” within the social gathering going ahead.
“Your management will likely be much more essential. We’ve got some onerous work forward of us, that you already know what I wish to say: Our work is nice work. Exhausting work is joyful work,” Harris mentioned in her video.
“And as we proceed to combat for our beliefs and to understand the promise of America, I will likely be with you each step of the way in which,” Harris added.