Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin said he is considering stepping down amid growing frustration over Vice Chairman David Hogg’s efforts to target sitting Democratic lawmakers with primary challenges.
The clash is part of increasing internal divisions within the Democratic Party following President Donald Trump’s election victory.
Martin’s concerns were aired during a Zoom meeting in which he voiced opposition to Hogg’s political tactics.
Martin’s remarks revealed the deep divisions behind the scenes at the DNC.
“I’ll be very honest with you, for the first time in my 100 days on this job … the other night I said to myself for the first time, I don’t know if I wanna do this anymore,” Martin said in a two-minute recording provided to Politico.
He also added that his ability to lead had been undermined.
The DNC is scheduled to vote on whether to re-run elections for certain leadership roles currently held by Hogg and fellow party officer Malcolm Kenyatta, RVM News reported.
Those issues have limited opportunities for women candidates, according to Politico.
Martin, who was elected as DNC chair in February and previously chaired Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, has faced growing internal pressure amid ideological disputes between moderate and far-left factions in the party.
“I’m trying to get my sea legs underneath of me and actually develop any amount of credibility so I can go out there and raise the money and do the job I need to to put ourselves in a position to win,” Martin said to Hogg during the May 15 meeting.
“And again, I don’t think you intended this, but you essentially destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to. So it’s really frustrating.”
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The latest infighting stems from Hogg’s announced plans to spend $20 million on primary challenges against incumbent Democrats he considers insufficiently committed to progressive causes.
Hogg, who rose to national attention as a gun control activist following the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, prompted backlash from Democratic leaders who feared it would deepen internal divisions and threaten vulnerable seats.
Hogg later pledged $100,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) to ease tensions.
Martin delivered an ultimatum to Hogg in May regarding the primary effort.
“Party officers have one job: to be fair stewards of a process that invites every Democrat to the table — regardless of personal views or allegiances,” Martin reportedly told Hogg.
The internal conflict inside the Democratic Party continues.
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