Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin has formally announced his bid to lead the Democratic National Committee, as the party attempts to piece itself together following a stinging defeat against Donald Trump.
"If you're looking for a creature of D.C., that's not me. But I do know how the DNC works and how it isn't working," Martin said in a video posted to social media Tuesday morning, adding, "We need to reconnect our ideas — which we know are popular in red, blue and purple states across this country — back to our party and to our candidates."
Martin, a DNC vice chair and leader of the Association of State Democratic Committees, has gained early traction with some delegates, according to interviews with several state DNC members. He joins Martin O'Malley, former presidential candidate who announced Monday he would run for the post.
Martin is a big backer of the DNC acting as an umbrella organization that strengthens state parties across the board.
“That’s certainly not the only thing that the DNC does, but it’s one of probably the most important partnerships that the DNC has is with its state party chairs, vice chairs, executive directors, who are on the ground running these programs,” Martin said in an interview last week. He calls it the 57-state strategy, including all 50 states and territories, as well as Washington, D.C., and Democrats abroad. “Whoever the next DNC chair is really has to, I believe, have a fierce commitment to making sure that they support the 57-state party strategy itself.”
Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb is among those backing Martin, saying in an earlier interview that she was interested in seeking the ASDC chair post that Martin now holds.
Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler is also interested in a run.
“Ben is seriously considering a run,” a person with knowledge of Wikler’s thinking told NBC News on Monday.
Also, Rahm Emanuel — who is serving as the U.S. ambassador to Japan and was previously the mayor of Chicago, a congressman and chief of staff to President Barack Obama — has floated interest in the role, according to three people, and has done some outreach to DNC members, according to one person familiar with the matter.
