Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, has announced his candidacy for the position of Democratic National Committee chair. This move comes as the party looks to regroup following President-elect Donald Trump's victory and the Republicans' control of Congress.
Wikler emphasized the need for unity within the Democratic Party, stating, 'We need to fight and win to stop the GOP from dividing the country and prioritizing the interests of the wealthy over working people.'
He joins a competitive field that includes New York State Sen. James Skoufis, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, and Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin. The election for the DNC chair is set for February 1, with the winner overseeing the party's rebuilding efforts and primary calendar selection.
Since taking the helm of the Wisconsin Democrats in 2019, Wikler has led the party to key victories, including maintaining the governorship and a Senate seat. Despite Trump's recent win in Wisconsin, the margin was the narrowest among swing states.
Democratic operatives are grappling with understanding the preferences of voters who supported Trump and how to effectively appeal to them. The party faces uncertainty about its future direction and strategy in the wake of the recent election results.
