DemDaily: DNC Leadership Race: The First Forum
January 14, 2025
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Saturday held the first of four candidate forums for those aspiring to be the next leader of their Party.
The Southern Regional National Officer Forum, which featured contenders for chair and other leadership contests, was moderated by local journalists. Three other regional forums are scheduled over the next two weeks leading up to the February 1st election.
The virtual forum served as the first introduction to the candidates for many in what has become a national contest -- closely watched for the direction of the party and the person who will lead us through the next four years under and against the Trump administration.
The DNC Chair will oversee budget decisions, organization, and spending priorities as the party embarks on the daunting task of rebuilding and reinvigorating a weary membership.
| The Democratic National Committee (DNC) Winter Meeting will take place January 30 - February 1, 2025 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, where members will elect their officers. |
Ground Rules: To participate in the forum, candidates must have submitted 40 verified DNC member petition signatures by January 4. The forum, conducted on Zoom, was segmented into what for each office, ranging from 20 to 90 minutes. All began with 30-second opening statements for each candidate and 30 seconds for closing remarks.
Candidates had two minutes to respond to questions submitted by DNC members and the moderator, who was given complete control of the process. Candidates were to stay seated in front of the camera for the duration of the event. Cross-talk was not permitted, nor were any electronics.
DNC Chair Jaime Harrison opened the event with greetings and praise for the candidates for their courage and leadership in running for office -- for "paving the path for the future of the Democratic party,"
While saying, "It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve you as chair, and I am confident of the foundation we have laid here together," he also reminded future leaders of the plight of the party's southern ranks -- "once the backbone of the Democratic party" -- while expressing faith that the next leadership team "will reflect the spirit" of the South.
Indeed, each candidate was queried on how they would work with the southern states to build a "robust Democratic Party" in the country's "cornerstone," universally acknowledged as underfunded and often written off as red states.
The Forum
The nature of the zoom format, with no exchange between candidates, allowed the contenders to address the audience directly while making the case for their vote. Although relatively uneventful with no controversies, some impressive and actually inspiring speeches captured one's attention over the six-hour event.
Most, including the challengers, took advantage of the uninterrupted platform to passionately or practically articulate their vision for a new Democratic Party. It was an unexpected but welcome reminder of the talent we have in our party and the strength of resolve in the battles ahead.
|
Southern Regional National Officer Forum Moderators: Greg Bluestein, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Loretta Boniti, Spectrum News 1; Matthew Choi, Texas Tribune; Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel. |
Although the limit for answering questions was two minutes, it was rarely imposed -- without objection -- as candidates who have little light between them on the issues comfortably answered a stream of questions.
From the committee's acceptance of "Dark money" and budget process transparency to messaging to what is supposed to be Democrats' base of minority and working-class Americans on subjects like immigration and the economy.
All candidates espoused the consistent theme of rebuilding and reconnecting with the voters.
The moderators moved through each office, beginning with National Finance Chair, where incumbent Chris Korge and fundraising powerhouse Christopher Lowe, who has served as DNC Deputy National Finance Chair for four years, will serve as DNC National Finance Co-Chair.
Treasurer: McGregor Industries Board member and DNC Treasurer Virginia McGregor is being challenged Non-profit CEO snd Hillsborough Town Commissioner Matt Hughes.
Secretary: Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce President and DNC Secretary Jason Rae is being challenged by former Obama Department of Labor official, former New Jersey DOL Deputy Commissioner and campaign advisor Marilyn Davis.
Vice Chair: Among the most competitive elections, the VP contest will produce three officers from a crowded field of aspirants. Candidates include: Joe Barbuto, Artie Blanco, Waikinya Clanton, Shasti Conrad, Michelle Deatrick, Aisha Dew, Kalyn Free, Adam Frisch, David Hogg, Chris Jones, Malcolm Kenyatta, Joe Paolino, Jeanna Repass and James Zogby. The gender balance rule will dictate whether it is two women and a man or two men and a woman who will emerge from the contest.
| Under DNC rules, except for the National Chairperson and the President of the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC), the officers shall be equally divided as practicable according to gender. In the case of gender non-binary candidates and Officers, they shall not be counted as either a male or female, and the remainder of the Officer positions shall be equally divided. |
Vice Chair for Civic Engagement and Voter Participation
One of the sought-after seats, the VP for engagement and participation, is a high-profile position with substantial responsibilities.
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH), and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA) appear to be drawing the most early support, with former New York Assemblyman and DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake and Biden-Harris Administration DOJ official and former DNC Director of Civic Engagement and Voter Protection Reyna Walters-Morgan waiting in the wings.
Chair
Candidates include former congressional candidate Quintessa Hathaway, ASDC President and Minnesota Democratic Party Chairman Ken Martin, former Maryland Governor and NGA Chair Martin O'Malley; Newton, Massachusetts Democratic City Committeeman Jason Paul; New York State Senator James Skoufis, former Department of Homeland Security official Nate Snyder, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler, and author and spiritualist Marianne Williamson.
Frontrunners?
Although Martin, Wikler and possibly O'Malley are considered frontrunners, none of the eight candidates has released a full list of names proving the support of at least 225 votes needed to win -- half plus one of the full 448-member DNC body. Hi
This means it is possible that no candidate wins on the first round of balloting February 1 - which could shift the entire dynamic of the race.
The next DNC forum:
Midwest Regional National Officer Forum
When: January 16, Thursday @ 1:30pm ET
Where: Westin Book Cadillac, 1114 Washington Blvd
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Hosts: DNC and Politico
Commentators: Politico journalists Eugene Daniels, Dasha Burns, Jonathan Martin, Elena Schneider, and Holly Otterbein
Watch: DNC YouTube Channel and Politico YouTube Channel
DemList will keep you informed.
DemList
Connecting You to The Party
Connecting You to Each Other
Kimberly Scott
Publisher
SignUp for the Daily updates on policy, politics and the players.
Follow DemList on Facebook, Twitter and Linke
Sources: DNC, AP, New York Times, Axios, The Hill, Politico
