Who is the New dnc chair Ken Martin?
Ken Martin is the newly elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) as of February 1, 2025. He has been the chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party since 2011, during which time his party has achieved an uninterrupted streak of statewide Democratic wins. Martin has also served as president of the Association of State Democratic Committees and as a vice chair of the DNC. His election to lead the DNC comes at a time when the Democratic Party is looking to regroup and strategize following significant losses in the 2024 elections under a second Trump presidency. His strategy for the DNC is founded on three pillars: “Build to Win,” “Build to Expand,” and “Build to Last,” aiming to strengthen the party’s infrastructure, expand its reach, and ensure long-term success.
Expectations for the new leadership
To be honest, I was hoping that the DNC wouldn’t choose a chair from the typical Democratic Party power bases of California, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, or Minnesota; even though the last DNC chair Jamie Harrison gained no advantage to himself or the party by being from South Carolina. However, the more I learn about the New DNC chair Ken Martin, the more I am impressed. But more importantly, the more I learn about Ken Martin, the more I am hopeful. Moreover, I am hopeful because of the whole new DNC leadership team. This team includes Vice-Chairs Reyna Walters-Morgan, Artie Blanco, Malcolm Kenyatta, and David Hogg. In addition, the DNC elected officers Secretary Jason Rae, Treasurer Virginia McGregor, and National Finance Chair Chris Korge.
ken martin in his own words
But who is the new DNC Chair Ken Martin? This excellent write up from the Minnesota Reformer details his working-class upbringing by a single mom and his life-long commitment to supporting unions and workers: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/01/30/ken-martin-just-wants-to-win/
In the end, this quotation from Ken Martin from the January 2025 DNC Officer Forum is what I have wanted to hear from our party for years:
“And I say, instead of sending celebrities out, we should send workers out to talk to workers. We should send other folks out that are trusted messengers and validators. And let me tell you what my role in the Minnesota DFL has been as it relates to being a spokesperson. I’ve always said this to my elected officials. I, my job, is to get out there and define the Republicans. I will take the low road so they can take the high road. I will throw the punches, so that they don’t have to. We will go on the offense against Donald Trump.”
You can watch the video of Ken Martin saying this below: