Martin Elected DNC Chair on First Ballot
Ken Martin’s Rise to DNC Chair Leaves Minnesota Democrats Seeking a New Leader

Longtime Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chair Ken Martin secured a commanding first-ballot victory in the race for Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair on Saturday. This significant achievement propels him to the national stage but leaves a considerable void within Minnesota’s Democratic party. In his victory speech, Martin declared, “The Democratic Party is the party of working people, and it’s time to roll up our sleeves and outcompete everywhere, in every election, and at every level of government — and I look forward to working with this next generation of leadership to build a party to unite America,” according to a DNC statement.

Martin’s impressive 25-0 record in Minnesota statewide races belies the immense challenge he now faces at the national level. The November election resulted in Republican control of both chambers of Congress and the White House, with Donald Trump’s victory marking the first Republican win of the popular vote in two decades. The Democratic Party’s losses reflect a decline in support among working-class voters and a weakening of support within key coalition blocs, including Black and Latino Americans. Trump’s early actions in office, including executive orders and the purging of career federal workers, have unified Democrats in opposition but also created uncertainty regarding an effective response.

The magnitude of Martin’s success in Minnesota is evident in the reaction of Republican operative Andrew Wagner, who offered a somewhat begrudging congratulatory message on X: “Congrats to Ken Martin. Here’s to hoping your successor is not nearly as effective as you’ve been as Minnesota DFL chair.” Martin’s success stemmed from his adept fundraising and party-building skills. He leveraged substantial contributions from wealthy individuals and labor unions to create a robust, ongoing campaign infrastructure encompassing research, field organization, and communications, often leaving Republicans unprepared.

His departure necessitates a search for a new DFL chair. Governor Tim Walz has already endorsed his Deputy Chief of Staff, Richard Carlbom, for the position, as reported by the *Star Tribune*. However, other candidates are expected to enter the race, including veteran DFL figures Ron Harris and Alana Petersen. A more detailed profile of Martin can be found in a recent *Minnesota Reformer* article.

(By J. Patrick Coolican, *Minnesota Reformer*, February 1, 2025)

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