The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will elect its next chair on February 1, 2025, during the party’s winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland.
According to the Associated Press, among the names circulating as potential candidates is former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke.
O’Rourke, who gained national attention during his narrow 2018 Senate race against Sen. Ted Cruz and his subsequent 2020 presidential bid, has yet to declare his intentions. However, his name has been floated alongside other prominent Democrats, including Martin O’Malley, former Maryland governor and current Social Security Administration commissioner, and Ken Martin, chair of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
Only two individuals from the list have officially declared their campaigns for DNC chair so far: Ken Martin and Martin O’Malley.
Outgoing DNC Chair Jaime Harrison outlined the election process in a letter to party leaders, emphasizing transparency and engagement.
“The DNC is committed to running a transparent, equitable, and impartial election for the next generation of leadership to guide the party forward,” Harrison said in a statement. “Electing the Chair and DNC officers is one of the most important responsibilities of the DNC Membership, and our staff will run an inclusive and transparent process that gives members the opportunity to get to know the candidates as they prepare to cast their votes.”
The process will include four candidate forums in January, providing an opportunity for grassroots Democrats to participate and engage with the process.
The DNC chair race comes at a pivotal moment for Democrats, following Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 loss and Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Whoever takes the helm will be tasked with reinvigorating the party, addressing structural weaknesses, and guiding the 2028 presidential election strategy.
