Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor chair to lead party still reeling from extensive losses

Summary

Ken Martin, chair of Minnesota’s Democratic–Farmer–Labor party, won the race to lead the Democratic National Committee, defeating Wisconsin’s Ben Wikler.

Martin takes over as Democrats grapple with major losses in the 2024 elections and seek to reconnect with working-class voters.

Supporters see his leadership as key to rebuilding the party, while critics worry it signals a continuation of the status quo.

His first major test will be the 2026 midterms as Democrats attempt to reclaim the House and rebuild their electoral strategy.

  • Deceptichum@quokk.auEnglish
    181·
    19 hours ago

    And what’s his history like?

    Words are cheap, let’s see the action.

    • LovingHippieCat@lemmy.world
      264·
      19 hours ago

      Well he’s not a representative or anything. He was chair of the DFL party which is the Democratic party in Minnesota. So he doesn’t have a voting record but he was elected 14 years ago and again, they haven’t lost a statewide race since. He’s a strategist.

      He led the campaign in 2008 for the the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment which is designed to help public lands, help keep water clean from pollution, and fund the arts and heritage fund.

      Wilker, his opponent, was also supported by two billionaires but Ken wasn’t.

      Under his watch Minnesota defeated the amendment to ban same sex marriage and an ammendment for voters ID, they regained state senate and house majorities that they lost in 2010, he’s the guy who helped get Tim Walz to be governor. He helped flip multiple seats in Minnesota from Red to blue including one that was red for 40 years.

      Again, he’s a strategist, which is what the DNC chair does, strategize.

      Edit: original comment I responded to said “voting record” not history

      • Zaktor@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        41·
        13 hours ago

        Wilker, his opponent, was also supported by two billionaires but Ken wasn’t.

        Sure, Matin wasn’t supported by two billionaires, he was only supported by one. That’s only 50% as corrupt!

        Some candidates criticized Wikler for relying on billionaires to fund his campaign. George Soros and Reid Hoffman, the LinkedIn cofounder, each gave Wikler $250,000, according to federal filings.

        Martin received a donation from a billionaire as well — Vance Opperman, a Minnesota-based businessman, donated $100,000. Martin has defended the party’s need to accept money from wealthy donors to keep up with Republicans. He has said he would not take contributions from people who do not share his values.

        https://www.wbaltv.com/article/democrats-elect-ken-martin-party-leader-in-minnesota-as-their-national-chair/63640066

      • dumples@midwest.socialEnglish
        52·
        18 hours ago

        Don’t forget with the trifecta we got universal school lunches, the largest one year increase in school spending, legal abortion rights (both legislatively and from our supreme court), legal marijuana etc. it’s been pretty great as a Minnesotan. Also the recent election after this 2024 moved to a tied session which is pretty good considering how shit the rest of the results were