Committee Resolves to Redo Vote for 2 DNC Vice Chair Positions

Epoch Times

13-05-2025

A Democratic National Committee (DNC) panel that resolves delegate disputes has voted in favor of a resolution to redo voting for two vice chair positions that were filled in a February vote.
The procedural change of filling two positions with just one vote was challenged by one of the candidates in the race.
The panel, known as the DNC Credentials Committee,
The Feb. 1 vote saw candidates Malcolm Kenyatta, a Pennsylvania legislator representing Philadelphia, and David Hogg, an activist from Florida, elected as vice chairs.
The credential committee's decision means it will now be up to the full 400-plus member DNC to vote on whether to proceed with a reelection for the vice chair positions held by Hogg, 25, and Kenyatta, 34.
Christine Pelosi, a member of the DNC Credentials Committee and California Rep. Nancy Pelosi's daughter, said in a post on social media platform X that after reviewing the challenge, the committee 'found both sides of the arguments compelling.'
Related Stories
5/11/2025
4/25/2025
'Ultimately, the Credentials Committee voted on a resolution that recommends that the DNC complete the Vice Chair election, and administer new ballots for the final two Vice Chair positions,' she
A vote could be called anytime before or during the next DNC meeting scheduled for August.
In the meantime, Hogg and Kenyatta will remain as vice chairs.
'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,' newly-elected DNC Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement, in response to the resolution.
'I thank all of our officers for their service, including Vice Chairs Kenyatta and Hogg, and look forward to continuing to work with them in their officer posts as this matter is resolved.'
Procedural Challenge
The challenge was raised by vice chair candidate and Oklahoma Democratic Committeewoman and attorney Kalyn Free, who was among three candidates alongside Hogg and Kenyatta in the race for the last two vice chair positions. Three vice chair positions were to be
Candidate
Blanco's position and that of Jane Kleeb, who was elected vice chair by virtue of her Feb. 1 election as president of the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC) per party rules, are not affected by the challenge. Reyna Walters-Morgan, who was elected to the separate position of vice chair for civic engagement and voter participation, is also unaffected.
This resulted in the committee deciding to fill the remaining two seats with one vote, after Kenyatta came out with a clear majority.
In the vote, Kenyatta
He expressed his respect for the ruling, even though he disagreed with it because of his 'dominating win in this race.'
'It is unfortunate as I believe we both won fairly & there is no charge that we acted improperly,' he said. '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.'
Kenyatta also criticized the media's coverage of the DNC.
'The press has been breathless in covering the main character they've chosen—David Hogg. They are rushing to do it again,' he said.
He said the narrative they've built around Hogg is that 'David fights the party,' which he said was 'nonsense,' as he believes he is also making efforts to 'change this party.'
'This story is complex and I'm frustrated—but it's not about @davidhogg111. Even though he clearly wants it to be,' the post reads.
Hogg Says Decision Is DNC's Attempt to Remove Him
After news of the resolution broke, Hogg said in a post on X, 'The DNC took its first steps to remove me from my position as Vice Chair At-Large.'
He blamed the decision on it being 'impossible to ignore the broader context of my work to reform the party, which loomed large over this vote.'
Hogg launched the progressive PAC 'Leaders We Deserve' in 2023, which has been focused on age-based reforms through getting young progressive candidates under 35 elected. As president, he recently declared that the PAC will primary members of Congress they see as being 'asleep at the wheel,' warning that voters are able to trust President Donald Trump more than Democrats.
Currently, only Hogg and Kenyatta serving in the DNC leadership are under the age of 35. They are both associated with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which is more popular among
Meanwhile, Martin, since he was elected chairman 100 days ago, has been pushing for 'neutrality' reforms that will 'require all party officers—including myself—to remain neutral in primaries.'
This has caused tensions with Hogg's involvement with his PAC amid its $20 million push to support primary challenges against incumbent Democrats.
Hogg also criticized the DNC for the lack of neutrality throughout the organization.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and 'other party committees regularly get involved in primaries,' he said in a
'Just this month, the Democratic Lt. Governor's Association pledged a 7 figure ad spend to elect a candidate in a primary in Illinois. Past DNC Vice Chairs have endorsed candidates in primaries as well, without any issue,' he said.
Hogg also
'I want to focus on whoever's just best at the job at this point. That's my own view,' he said.
Martin's proposal would only apply to active party officers.
'A neutrality pledge isn't about silencing anyone. It's about protecting everyone,' he
Kleeb
'This is not about David Hogg. It was about our rules that were violated,' she said. 'This challenge was filed by a strong Native American woman weeks before Hogg announced he would violate the neutrality pledge of officers not engaging in D on D primaries.'
However, Hogg's campaign to support primary challenges could impact his standing in the revote.
'There have been a few members that have come out and that have said, 'Well, you know, if I retire, my life is effectively over.' And what I would say is, get over yourself,' he told Maher.
'This isn't about you. This is about our country, and it's about your constituents. Nobody is entitled.
'That's all we're trying to do with 'Leaders We Deserve' is give people the option to vote for somebody that isn't necessarily the same person that's been there forever.'
The Epoch Times contacted Kenyatta and Hogg for comment but received no response by publication time.