Four candidates are vying for two vice-chairman positions within the Democratic National Committee (DNC) after members voted earlier this week to redo the elections for David Hogg and Pennsylvania Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.
Karin Free, a member from Oklahoma, had previously lost her bid for vice-chairman but raised issues back in February regarding the fairness of the election process, suggesting that it favored the male candidates.
This week, the DNC members voted 294-99 in favor of re-elections after Free’s challenge. Hogg chose to withdraw from the race amidst ongoing controversy regarding his participation in a Democratic primary.
Currently, the DNC is managing two separate votes for the vice-chair position: one for male candidates and another open to all genders. Kenyatta secured his spot in Saturday’s election through the male vote.
Meanwhile, three candidates are competing for the all-gender voting slot.
Here’s a brief look at the four candidates running for DNC vice-chairman:
Pennsylvania Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta
Kenyatta was previously elected as one of the DNC’s secondary chairs in February and is seeking re-election after the challenge. He won the male voting spot on Saturday, originally expected to face Hogg who ultimately withdrew.
Initially elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature in 2018, he represents parts of Philadelphia County. Kenyatta previously ran in the Democratic primary for the Pennsylvania Senate in 2022 but lost to Senator John Fetterman. He most recently contested a seat against Auditor General Tim DeFour, losing by a narrow margin.
His website highlights his achievements, including being the first openly LGBTQ candidate of color elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature.
Kenyatta mentioned his travels to nine states and Germany since his election as vice-chairman in February, pointing out the DNC’s focus on local races and building Democratic infrastructure nationwide, especially in Red states.
Washington Party Chair Chasti Conrad
Chasti Conrad is making a second attempt for the vice-chair position after initially losing in February. Appointed as the DNC Associate Chair in March, she currently leads the Washington Democrats and has worked alongside three Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Her past campaigns include those for President Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders.
Conrad emphasizes the need for more engagement between Democratic members and councils at a national level, noting that not all state parties are adequately represented. She advocates for better organization among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders within the DNC.
Oklahoma DNC Member Kalyn Free
Kalyn Free is back in the running for the DNC Vice-Chair position, having successfully contested the previous election process. As a member of the Choctaw Nation, she has served in various political roles, including as district attorney for Haskell and Pittsburgh counties in the late 1990s.
Free has previously run for a congressional seat but faced defeat. Focusing on indigenous representation within the DNC, she expressed her commitment to the cause through personal anecdotes, including her husband’s wedding vow to refrain from supporting Republicans.
Kansas Party Chair Gianna Lepas
Jeanna Repass is seeking the vice-chair position after her initial unsuccessful bid. She currently leads the Kansas Democrats and is notable as both the first Black and Latina woman in that role. Repass has previously run for Secretary of State and emphasizes the importance of understanding voter dynamics in Red states.
With a background in sales, marketing, and community outreach, she has been focused on issues pertinent to rural communities in Kansas.
