David Hogg’s recent decision to run for vice-chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has stirred up mixed reactions among committee members.
While some members seemed relieved, many expressed surprise and disappointment over his announcement made on Wednesday, especially since it appears to challenge an incumbent and create distractions for the party.
Interestingly, not all reactions are negative; some Democrats indicated they would be glad to collaborate with Hogg after his departure.
“The overall sentiment seems to be a sense of relief, perhaps, as it keeps us from getting sidetracked from our essential work in building the party,” someone remarked, adding that it allows the focus to remain on countering Republican efforts and standing up for core Democratic values.
Earlier that day, a majority of DNC members voted to re-hold the vice-chair election, a change involving Hogg and Pennsylvania Representative Malcolm Kenyatta.
This vote came in response to a challenge from Oklahoma DNC member Kalyn Free, who had lost her bid for the vice-chair position. She contended that the election’s process favored the male candidate. Last month, the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee ruled that a re-election would be necessary.
This challenge coincided with another controversy surrounding Hogg, sparked by his plans to engage with congressional members in a comfortable district he felt might not contribute effectively.
DNC Chair Ken Martin expressed that he believes Hogg should refrain from such actions while serving in his current role.
This week, tension resurfaced when a May Zoom call featuring DNC officials was leaked, which included Hogg expressing dissatisfaction. As reported over the weekend, this audio has led some members to reconsider their votes in the upcoming vice-chair election.
Following the committee vote on Wednesday, Hogg announced he would withdraw from running again, stating he wants to focus on working with leaders he respects.
“I’ve decided not to compete in this next election, so we can center on what truly matters and collaborate with the leaders we deem worthy,” Hogg said.
In a statement, Martin acknowledged Hogg’s decision and noted that gun control activists would continue to hold a vital role in the party.
“There’s no question that he will remain a crucial advocate within the party, and I genuinely appreciate his service, dedication, and hard work,” Martin concluded.
Sources close to the DNC conveyed that the ongoing controversies surrounding Hogg didn’t impact the party’s functioning but did create some unnecessary distractions.
“While it didn’t derail any critical work, the time we spent discussing it could have been utilized better in combating Trump’s proposed healthcare cuts,” one source remarked. “David seems to finally realize that.”
John Verdejo, a member from North Carolina’s DNC committee, admitted he was taken aback by Hogg’s choice to not seek re-election.
“I was surprised and a bit shocked by his decision after the votes were cast,” Verdejo noted, adding that some members felt relieved.
Meanwhile, Howard Chow from Colorado mentioned he felt “indifferent” about Hogg’s potential re-election, yet expressed disappointment, saying, “It’s a loss for us as I was hoping his energy and leadership would boost our success.”
“It’s unfortunate that he chose to withdraw,” commented Clay Middleton from South Carolina’s DNC committee. Hogg’s team opted not to provide commentary on the matter.
On a related note, Kenyatta is making efforts to secure his re-election as DNC Vice-Chairman this week, though Pennsylvania lawmakers have voiced their frustrations with the process.
“I am certainly frustrated, but I remain engaged as I understand the crises we face,” Kenyatta shared with The Hill.
He mentioned traveling to nine states and even Germany, indicating his desire to make races more competitive for the party.
“That’s my goal. There’s no election without Democrats participating…” he stated.
As for Hogg, Kenyatta expressed a wish for gun control advocates to remain integral to the DNC, calling for them to “become the leaders we need.”
Hogg shared that he intends to focus on his group and effectively challenge congressional members. Many DNC members, along with several Democrats, seem to agree on the need for generational change, yet there’s some opposition to how it’s being pursued within the DNC.
As the party grapples with responding to Trump and finding a unified message moving towards 2026 and 2028, some members maintain a willingness to collaborate with Hogg in the future.
“I’ll be ready to support him and work together,” Chow remarked.
