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448 members of the DNC who will vote 225 votes needed to win | |
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Incumbent Chair Jaime Harrison |
The 2025 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election is expected to be held on February 1, 2025, at the party’s winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, to determine the next chairperson of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Jaime Harrison has announced that he will not seek another term as chair of the party.
Background

Harrison was elected chair of the Democratic National Committee in January 2021, following the presidential election of Joe Biden in 2020. During his tenure, Harrison defended Biden from calls to suspend his 2024 re-election campaign amid the first 2024 presidential debate. Following the 2024 United States presidential election, in which Democratic vice president Kamala Harris was defeated by Republican former president Donald Trump, it was reported that Harrison would not seek re-election as chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2025. An all-staff meeting was held on November 6, 2024, to discuss the results of the election and a potential timeline for a leadership vote,[1] which is expected to be held no later than March 1, 2025.[2]
Harrison officially announced that he would not seek re-election as DNC chair on November 25, 2024. The election to determine the next chair will be held during the party’s winter meeting on February 1, 2025, during which 448 DNC members will vote on a chair; a simple majority of votes is required to win.[3]
Timeline
- November 6, 2024 – Reuters reports that Jaime Harrison will not seek re-election as chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2025 following the party’s defeat in the 2024 United States presidential election.[1]
- December 12, 2024 – Meeting of the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted on the chair election process.[4]
- January 2025 – Four candidate forums featuring qualifying candidates will be held.[5]
- February 1, 2025 – Election to be held by party voting members at the DNC’s Winter Meeting.[3]
Candidates
In order to qualify as a candidate for chair, one must submit a nominating statement signed by 40 DNC members by January 25, 2025.[6] As of January 15, 2025, all but Faiz Shakir have qualified for the four scheduled debates and February 1 election.[7]
Declared
- Quintessa Hathaway, educator and nominee for Arkansas’s 2nd congressional district in 2022[8]
- Robert Houton, nonprofit executive and candidate in the 2024 United States Senate election in Maryland[9]
- Ken Martin, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (2017–present) and chair of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (2011–present)[10]
- Martin O’Malley, commissioner of the Social Security Administration (2023–2024), former governor of Maryland (2007–2015), and candidate for president in 2016[11]
- Jason Paul, executive member of the Newton, Massachusetts Democratic City Committee (2016–present)[12]
- Faiz Shakir, campaign manager for Bernie Sanders‘s 2020 presidential campaign[7]
- Nate Snyder, former United States Department of Homeland Security official[13]
- Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (2019–present)[14]
- Marianne Williamson, author and candidate for president in 2020 and 2024[15]
- Nonprofit executive
Robert Houton - Minnesota DFL Party chair
Ken Martin
(2011–present) - Social Security Administration commissioner
Martin O’Malley
(2023–2024) - Attorney
Jason Paul - Political advisor
Faiz Shakir - Wisconsin Democratic
Party chair
Ben Wikler
(2019–present) - Author
Marianne Williamson
Publicly expressed interest
- Jonathan Jackson, U.S. Representative from Illinois’s 1st congressional district (2023–present) and son of Jesse Jackson[16]
Potential
- Beto O’Rourke, former U.S. Representative from Texas’s 16th congressional district (2013–2019), nominee for U.S. senator in 2018, candidate for president in 2020, and nominee for governor of Texas in 2022[2]
- Max Rose, former U.S. representative from New York’s 11th congressional district (2019–2021)[17]
- Stephanie Schriock, former president of EMILY’s List (2010–2021)[18]
Withdrawn
- James Skoufis, member of the New York State Senate (2019–present) and former member of the New York State Assembly (2013–2018) (endorsed Martin)[19]
Declined
- Stacey Abrams, former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives (2011–2017) from the 84th district (2007–2013) and 89th district (2013–2017) and candidate for governor of Georgia in 2018 and 2022[2] (endorsed Wikler)[20]
- Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky (2019–present)[2]
- Michael Blake, former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (2017–2021) (running for mayor of New York City and for DNC vice chair of civic engagement)[21]
- Sherrod Brown, U.S. senator from Ohio (2007–2025)[22]
- Laphonza Butler, U.S. senator from California (2023–2024) and former president of EMILY’s List (2021–2023)[23]
- Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–present), former mayor of South Bend (2012–2020), and candidate for DNC chair in 2017 and president in 2020[2]
- Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan (2022–present) and former mayor of Chicago (2011–2019)[24]
- Marcia Fudge, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2021–2024) and U.S. Representative from Ohio’s 11th congressional district (2008–2021)[25] (endorsed O’Malley)[26]
- Mitch Landrieu, senior advisor to the president for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs (2021–2024) and former mayor of New Orleans (2010–2018)[27] (endorsed O’Malley)[28]
- Mallory McMorrow, majority whip of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 8th district (2019–present)[29] (endorsed Wikler)[30]
- Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey (2018–present)[31]
- Dean Phillips, former U.S. Representative from Minnesota’s 3rd congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024[32] (endorsed Martin)[33]
- Chuck Rocha, political strategist[34]
Forums and debates
The party will host forums for candidates,[3] who will need to submit the signatures of 40 DNC members to participate in forums.[6] Each of the forums will be livestreamed.[35]
No. | Date and time | Place | Host | Link | Participants | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P Present A Absent N Not invited NYD Not yet declared candidacy W Withdrawn | Hathaway | Houton | Martin | O’Malley | Paul | Skoufis | Snyder | Wikler | Williamson | ||||
1[36] | December 7, 2024 4:45 pm ET | Boston, MA | Young Democrats of America | YouTube | N | N | P | P | N | P | N | P | NYD |
2[37] | January 6, 2025 6:00 pm ET | Virtual | DNC Labor Council | YouTube | P | N | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
3[38][39] | January 11, 2025 4:00 pm ET | Virtual | Democratic National Committee | YouTube | P | N | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
4 | January 14, 2025 8:00 pm ET | Virtual | Brian Tyler Cohen Leigh McGowan | YouTube | P | N | P | P | P | P | A | P | P |
5[40][41] | January 16, 2025 7:30 pm ET | Detroit, MI | Democratic National Committee Politico | YouTube | P | N | P | P | P | W | P | P | P |
6[42] | January 23, 2025 | Virtual | Democratic National Committee | TBD | I | I | I | I | I | W | I | I | I |
7[43] | January 24, 2025 6:00 pm ET | Charleston, SC | Democratic National Committee South Carolina Democratic Party | TBD | I | I | I | I | I | W | I | I | I |
8[42] | January 30, 2025 | Washington, D.C. | Democratic National Committee | TBD | I | I | I | I | I | W | I | I | I |
Endorsements
Ken MartinU.S. senators
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota (2007–present)[44]
U.S. representatives
- Angie Craig, MN-02 (2019–present)[44]
- Betty McCollum, MN-04 (2001–present)[44]
- Dean Phillips, MN-03 (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024[33]
Statewide officials
- Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present) and candidate for DNC chair in 2017[45]
- Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota (2019–present) and nominee for vice president in 2024[46]
State legislators
- James Skoufis, member of the New York State Senate (2019–present)[19]
Party officials
- More than 100 DNC members,[47] including:
- 51 state party chairs and vice chairs[48]
- The entire Democratic Party delegations in eight states[20]
- James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, DNC Ethnic Council chair, and former DNC Executive Committee member (2001–2017)[49]
Organizations
Martin O’MalleyExecutive Branch officials
- Marcia Fudge, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2021–2024)[26]
U.S. senators
- Angela Alsobrooks, Maryland (2025–present)[51]
- Ben Cardin, Maryland (2007–2025)[51]
- Tim Kaine, Virginia (2013–present), former chair of the Democratic National Committee (2009–2011), and nominee for vice president in 2016[52]
- Chris Van Hollen, Maryland (2017–present)[51]
U.S. representatives
- Emmanuel Cleaver, MO-05 (2005–present)[26]
- Bennie Thompson, MS-02 (1993–present)[26]
Mayors
- 50 current and former mayors,[28] including:
- Manny Diaz, former chair of the Florida Democratic Party (2021–2023) and mayor of Miami (2001–2009)[28]
- Shirley Franklin, former mayor of Atlanta (2002–2010)[28]
- Mitch Landrieu, senior advisor to the president for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs (2021–2024) and former mayor of New Orleans (2010–2018)[28]
- Levar Stoney, former mayor of Richmond (2017–2025)[28]
- Jack Young, former mayor of Baltimore (2019–2020)[53]
Party officials
- 65 DNC members[54]
Faiz ShakirIndividuals
- Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants[55]
Ben WiklerExecutive Branch officials
- Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor (1993–1997)[56]
U.S. senators
- Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin (2013–present)[57]
- Dick Durbin, Senate Minority Whip (2005–2007, 2015–2021, 2025–present) from Illinois (1997–present)[58]
- Chris Murphy, Connecticut, (2013–present)[59]
- Brian Schatz, Hawaii (2012–present)[60]
- Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (2017–2021, 2025–present) from New York (1999–present)[61]
U.S. representatives
- Pramila Jayapal, WA-07 (2017–present) and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (2021–present)[33]
- Marcy Kaptur, OH-09 (1983–present)[59]
- Gwen Moore, WI-04 (2005–present)[62]
- Mark Pocan, WI-02 (2013–present)[63]
- Jan Schakowsky, IL-09 (1999–present)[64]
Statewide officials
- Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State (2019–present)[59]
- Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present)[59]
State legislators
- Stacey Abrams, former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives (2011–2017) from the 84th district (2007–2013) and 89th district (2013–2017) and candidate for governor of Georgia in 2018 and 2022[20]
- Mallory McMorrow, majority whip of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 8th district (2019–present)[30]
- Jason Morgan, Michigan state representative from the 23rd district (2023–present)[65]
Individuals
- Jonathan Cowan, president and co-founder of Third Way[66]
- Jon Favreau, co-host of Pod Save America[33]
- Michelle Goldberg, columnist[67]
- John Nichols, author, associate editor of The Cap Times, and national affairs correspondent for The Nation magazine[68]
- Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association (2020–present)[69]
- Jennifer Rubin, columnist[70]
- Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (2012–present)[69]
- April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union (2024–present)[69]
- Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (2008–present)[69]
Party officials
- Lavora Barnes, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party (2019–present)[71]
- Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party (2023–present)[20]
- Mike Tate, former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (2009–2015)[57]
- Jason Morgan, first vice chair of the Michigan Democratic Party (2023–present) and member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 23rd district (2023–present)[59]
Organizations
Labor unions
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees[58]
- American Federation of Teachers[58]
- National Education Association[58]
- Service Employees International Union[58]
Newspapers
Declined to endorseOrganizations
- Association of State Democratic Committees[76]
Statewide officials
Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota (2019–present) and nominee for vice president in 2024[44] (endorsed Martin)[46]
Party officials
- Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee (2021–present)[3]
Jonathan Jackson (undeclared)U.S. representatives
James Skoufis (withdrawn)Party officials
- 23 DNC members[8]
Rahm Emanuel (declined to run)U.S. representatives
- Steve Israel, NY-03 (2001–2017)[78]
Party officials
- David Axelrod, political consultant[18]
Results
Candidate | Round 1 |
---|---|
Quintessa Hathaway | |
Robert Houton | |
Ken Martin | |
Martin O’Malley | |
Jason Paul | |
Nate Synder | |
Ben Wikler | |
Marianne Williamson | |
No vote | |
Abstain | |
Total |
Candidate secured enough votes to win election Candidate secured a plurality of votes in the round Candidate withdrew
More at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Democratic_National_Committee_chairmanship_election