The Democratic National Committee is considering holding a new election for two of its vice chairs, David Hogg and Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. On Monday, the DNC’s Credentials Committee voted to invalidate the results of the February election in which Hogg and Kenyatta were elected to two of the three DNC vice chair positions.
Statements by Hogg cause stir
The move comes after Hogg called for more competition within the party by challenging established Democratic politicians.
Hogg’s organization, Leaders We Deserve, started a $20 million campaign to unseat current Democratic lawmakers and promote a new generation of candidates to serve.
Hogg also appeared on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” show Friday, days before Monday’s Credentials Committee vote, in which Hogg criticized his own party.
“Ultimately, what we have to do here is figure out how to bring people back in and work towards the bigger goal of advancing the future of this country,” Hogg said.
Procedural error cited by DNC
According to DNC Chair Ken Martin, Monday’s Credentials Committee vote had nothing to do with Hogg. Instead, he insisted there was a procedural error in February’s vice chair elections.
“The Credentials Committee has issued their recommendation, and I trust that the DNC members will carefully review the committee’s resolution and resolve this matter fairly,” Martin said in a statement after Monday’s vote, as reported by Fox News.
Responses from Hogg and Kenyatta
Semafor reporter David Weigel posted Hogg’s full statement to his X account after the DNC Credentials Committee vote Monday. In it, Hogg said the “country is in crisis” and “Democratic leaders are asleep at the wheel.”
“I ran to be DNC vice chair to help make the Democratic Party better, not to defend an indefensible status quo that has caused voters in almost every demographic group to move away from us. The DNC has pledged to remove me, and this vote has provided an avenue to fast-track that effort,” Hogg said.
Kenyatta also responded to Monday’s vote, writing in a post on X, “The Credentials Committee believed, as they stated, that they are remedying a procedural flaw. But doing so the way they did, is a slap in my face. I’m frustrated, but I’ll be ok.”
Next steps for the DNC
The entire DNC will now have to decide whether to proceed with a new election for the vice chair positions. Until that vote, Hogg and Kenyatta will continue serving in their vice chair positions.
