The race for Democratic Party chairman has officially begun with one-time Maryland governor and failed presidential candidate Martin O’Malley announcing his candidacy to take the reins.
O’Malley, who has been away from the national scene lately, In 2016, he made a short offer to lead the Democratic National Committee, only to withdraw his name days later.
But a person familiar with O’Malley’s plans said he has already reached out to key party leaders “who are interested in his vision for the future of the Democratic Party.” In the next few weeks, he is expected to lay out the main principles of his vision for the party. This includes communicating with Americans “not through fear” to secure a better future.
O’Malley, most recently commissioner of the Social Security Administration, is expected to build on his past as mayor, governor and chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. And he’s expected to express support for a 50-state commitment, meaning the DNC will help maintain party infrastructure across the country, not just in battleground states. This is a position that few candidates will hold.
As O’Malley officially entered the fray reported first by the New York Times, many other names were being tossed around before the November 5 election. The contest comes as former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison steps down. Harrison is expected to make more public comments about how the party is moving forward in the coming weeks.
One of the people most mentioned in Democratic circles as a possible DNC chairman is Ben Wikler, chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Wikler is known as a prodigious fundraiser, respected by both Republicans and Democrats, and has served as the ubiquitous cable TV voice of the left in the past few major national and local elections.
“Ben is seriously considering running,” a person familiar with Wikler’s thinking told NBC News.
Several DNC members have said privately that they are already endorsing Ken Martin, chairman of the Minnesota Democratic Party. Martin has not officially announced that he will run for the position, but is “definitely considering it,” he told NBC News. Martin said he strongly believes the party should continue to build in all 50 state parties.
“A lot of people have been calling me and encouraging me to run,” Martin said. “I’d just say I’ve had a lot of good conversations. That’s a lot to consider.”
Martin is also president of the State Democratic Chairmen’s Association, which some supporters say could be a natural springboard.
Rahm Emanuel, who currently serves as the US ambassador to Japan and was previously the mayor of Chicago, congressman and chief of staff to President Barack Obama, has increased his interest in this work.
Two people close to Emanuel called his interest somewhat tenuous and also noted that he may have bigger prospects on the horizon. Emanuel could be open if longtime Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin makes an announcement, which could come in January, or if Gov. JB Pritzker declines to run for a 3rd term. Two people said 2026.
Several state party chairmen told NBC News that any proposal from Emanuel would be “dead on arrival” or “ridiculous.”
Nebraska Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb said in an interview that she opposes Emanuel and doesn’t see his proposal gaining traction. Kleeb said he is endorsing Martin for DNC chair, who said he is interested in seeking the ASDC chair position, which Martin currently holds.
Whoever leads the party will have to pick up the pieces of the devastating defeat to Donald Trump on November 5th. This will help you determine where the main calendar stands. NBC News on Friday expressed his appetite to reschedule after months of painstaking wrangling and planning resulted in the party dropping Iowa and New Hampshire from the primary states.