DemDaily: DNC Charts Its Future
January 31, 2024
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) kicked off its Winter Meeting Wednesday night at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland with a welcome reception from outgoing Chair Jaime Harrison.
A visibly energized room of DNC members, guests, and supporters from every corner of the US -- together for the first time since the election -- celebrated the reunion and the promise of the Meeting as they decide whom they will entrust to steer their party through the next four years.
Candidates vying for the eight national leadership offices worked the room in an attempt to sway the vote of undecided members as we countdown to Saturday's election.
Over the course of four days, each is hosting their own campaign breakfasts, events, and late-night parties.
Despite the national profile of the contest, its outcome will be determined by a small electorate of 448 voting members of the DNC.
| Elections for DNC officers will be held Saturday, February 1, at the DNC Winter Meeting, when members will vote for their next Chair, Vice Chair for Civic Engagement & Voter Participation, Vice Chairs (3), Secretary, Treasurer, and National Finance Chair. The election for President of the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC) will be held Sunday, February 2. |
Following a morning of council and caucus meetings Thursday, members journeyed to Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service, which cohosted, along with MSNBC, the fourth and final officer candidate forum.
MSNBC Live's Creative Director Luke Russert and GU Politics Executive Director Mo Elleithee moderated the first three candidate forums for National Finance Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, each of whom faces minimal opposition.
The second half of the six-hour event, moderated by MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart, Jen Psaki and Symone Sanders-Townsend, began with the more competitive Vice Chair for Civic Engagement & Voter Participation, the three general VPs, and the contest for Chair of the DNC.
As candidates needed only to secure 40 DNC member petition signatures to run, there was no shortage of contenders -- with each trying to distinguish themselves under the aegis of a common agenda.
The relatively amiable forum focused largely on moving beyond the losses of 2024 and charting a new direction that includes rebuilding and rebranding the Democratic party and its message.
Addressing issues ranging from grassroots organizing, climate, youth and tech, to diversity, candidate recruitment, state party resources and banning dark money, each candidate laid out their vision for the party.
As the leader of the party outside the White House, and with a minority in both chambers of Congress, the next DNC chair will represent the face and voice of a new Democratic Party -- as well as the opposition to an emboldened GOP, a belligerent executive branch and a capricious, increasingly tyrannical president.
The next chair will need to energize and inspire beyond their own party constituency to that of the voting public and provide a Democratic path to the White House in 2028.
| The Candidates for Chair include: Former congressional candidate Quintessa Hathaway, ASDC President and Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin, former Social Security Administration Commissioner and former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley; Newton, Massachusetts Democratic City Committeeman Jason Paul; former Department of Homeland Security official Nate Snyder, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler, author Marianne Williamson, and former Bernie Sanders for President Senior Advisor Faiz Shakir. |
Friday morning, at the DNC's General Session, current DNC Chair Jaime Harrison made his farewell remarks.
"We are the oldest political party in the world. The Democratic Party has existed for 197 years...and the story of the Democratic Party has been the story of America. All of the trials and tribulations, all of the evolution that we have seen in America. We've seen in this Democratic Party. Each of us has a unique story, a unique version of the American story.
"I'm proud of everything that we have built together, my friends, and I'm confident that we are leaving the DNC in a strong position to take on the next four years and the whole Republican account.
"I'm proud of everything that we have accomplished...But I'm also prepared to look into the future. And as a party we can't afford to run from the truth. If we want to make real lasting progress for our loved ones, we must make changes."
DNC Winter Meeting Live Streaming: DNC YouTube Channel
See: DemDaily: Your Guide to The Democratic National Committee
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