The main executive leadership of the Democratic Party is the Democratic National Committee (DNC). It is generally responsible for the affairs of the Democratic Party including planning how to support Democratic Party candidates running for local, state, and federal office across the nation. The election to choose the next chairperson of the DNC is anticipated to take place on February 1, 2025. But, before the February election, one must first become a candidate.
Former 2024 presidential candidate, Marianne Williamson, has written a letter to the members of the DNC announcing her desire to serve the party as chair of the DNC. She is also asking them to sign a petition that would begin the process of making that possible. The signing of the petition is not an endorsement. It simply allows potential candidates to have an opportunity to make their case with the DNC. The LA Progressive supports democracy and democratic processes. We urge any DNC member reading this to sign the petition. We also ask all readers to share this message.
Here is Marianne's letter directed to members of the Democratic National Council, which will elect a new leader in early February to reinvent the Party, not merely rebuild it on old models:
This year’s election of a DNC Chair feels different than in past years. Before now, the party had faced defeats to be sure. But our playbook still basically worked. The waters were turbulent at times, but our ship was steady.
This year, the party faces a more critical problem than we have ever faced before. The MAGA phenomenon now challenges the very way that politics are done in America, and the traditional tool kit of party organizing will not be enough to meet the moment.
Renewing the Democratic Party
President Trump has ushered in an age of political theatre – a collective adrenaline rush that has enabled him to not only move masses of people into his camp but also masses of people away from ours. It does not serve us to underestimate the historic nature of what he has achieved.
In fact, it’s important that we recognize the psychological and emotional dimensions of Trump’s appeal. We need to understand it to create the energy to counter it. MAGA is a distinctly 21st century political movement and it will not be defeated by a 20th century tool kit. Data analysis, fundraising, field organizing, and beefed-up technology – while all are important - will not be enough to prepare the way for Democratic victory in 2024 and beyond.
Read Marianne's petition to DNC members (only DNC members can vote, but all can read)
That’s why I have decided to run for DNC Chair this year. Running for the Democratic nomination for President twice, I have traveled extensively throughout this country speaking with voters. I’ve witnessed up close the fraying bonds of affection between the party and the working people of the United States; I met many who had been traditional Democratic voters yet had lost hope that the party had their back. In the 2024 election, throughout my campaign I warned of a coming electoral disaster if Democrats did not listen more deeply to the pain of people throughout America.
My experience of what went wrong has given me insight into what needs doing to make things right. (See my manifesto for a Renewed Democratic Party.) As Chairwoman, I will work to reinvent the party from the inside out. For if we want a new President in four years, and a new Congress in two, then we must immediately get about the task of creating a new party.
Share this post