There’s a growing friction between David Hogg and the leadership of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), particularly regarding his position as vice-chairman. Recently leaked audio has shown DNC Chair Ken Martin expressing his frustration with Hogg’s approach, which seems to push against certain incumbents during his time in office.
This leaked audio surfaced just before DNC officials were set to vote on the possibility of redoing the election for Hogg’s vice-chair position. It lays bare the discontent some party members have regarding the 25-year-old gun control advocate.
“David Hogg is becoming one of the biggest distractions we have,” commented Democratic strategist Antojuan Schreit. “I personally don’t trust him, and I doubt many others in the party do either.” Hogg’s actions rattle members as he continues to participate in a primary, even as some, including Martin, express disapproval.
The discord was highlighted last month during a Zoom discussion, where Martin didn’t hold back on his feelings about Hogg. According to reports from Politico, he noted, “I’m really frustrated to be dealing with this. It’s hindering my ability to build credibility and gather support.” He went on to describe his efforts to strengthen the DNC, lamenting how Hogg’s actions have undermined those attempts.
Though Martin did hint at the consideration of resigning, he firmly stated later, “I’m not going anywhere. I took this role to combat Republicans—our focus should be solely there, not on internal party disputes.” Many within the DNC have echoed their support for Martin, insisting on the importance of his leadership.
Meanwhile, Hogg attempted to distance himself from the fallout of the leaked audio, arguing on social media that the ensuing drama only aids Republicans. “Republicans thrive when we turn against each other,” he wrote. “Both Martin and I are committed to strengthening the party, and this is just a distraction from our critical mission.” He also stated that this infighting could distract from addressing pressing national issues.
The ongoing situation has sparked irritation within the Democratic ranks, especially as party officials gear up for the midterms and address various controversies, including immigration-related protests linked to Trump. Some members are reflecting on the lessons of past in-party clashes, emphasizing that such divisions hinder progress.
Though many agree on the need for generational shifts and challenges to current party members, Hogg’s strategy as a DNC officer has raised eyebrows. For instance, North Carolina DNC member John Verdejo remarked, “While I understand the need for change, Hogg’s approach is questionable.” Another anonymous strategist suggested that Hogg may be aiming to elevate his own profile without fully grasping the internal dynamics at play.
As tensions rise, the DNC is also dealing with ongoing discussions about possibly redoing the vice-chair election after a previous dispute involving Oklahoma DNC member Karinfrey back in February. Virtual voting is set to take place soon, and if the decision is made to revisit the election, separate votes will occur for both Hogg and Pennsylvania Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.
Some members are reconsidering their votes in light of the recent controversies. California DNC member Michael Kapp expressed his previous support for protecting Hogg and Kenyatta’s positions, stating that he was initially firm about opposing any resolutions to redo the election. However, he’s now “rethinking” that stance due to the implications of the leaked audio.
An anonymous strategist cautioned that removing Hogg from his position could backfire, possibly turning him into a martyr for his supporters within the party. “If he gets ousted, the backlash could be significant,” they warned. “We could be hearing a lot more from him.”
