The Democratic Party is currently in the process of selecting a new chairperson. The decision comes as the party struggles with the torrent of actions instigated by President Donald Trump.
The new chair will be elected by the Democratic National Committee’s 447 members on Saturday. The successor will face the herculean task of rebuilding the party’s national profile and intervening in state-level matters that were largely overlooked in 2016.
The leading contenders for the position are former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez and Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison. Some members have expressed a desire to stray from the historically centrist image of the party. As such, interim chair Donna Brazile admitted that the ongoing battle for this key leadership role is “an opportunity for a new direction.”
Many look to the new chair with the expectation of orchestrating an aggressive opposition to President Trump. However, the primary role of the chairperson is not legislative. It is more centered on fundraising, strategic planning, and amplifying the party’s message across different platforms.
Nonetheless, the new leader will face the daunting reality of a Trump-dominated political landscape. With both the House and Senate currently controlled by Republicans, the party is looking for swift, effective means of regaining power in the face of a rapidly shifting political terrain.
Last modified: February 1, 2025
