**DNC to Elect New Chair Amid Post-Election Restructuring**

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) faces a pivotal moment as it prepares to elect a successor to its current chair Jaime Harrison in early February 2025. Harrison has outlined an extensive selection process in a recent letter to the Rules & Bylaws Committee, emphasizing transparency and inclusivity.

The election for the new chair will take place on February 1 during the DNC’s winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland. Leading up to this, the party plans to host four candidate forums. Some forums will be in-person, while others will be virtual, occurring throughout January.

The internal election, though an exclusive party matter, is of significant consequence, coming just days after former President Donald Trump's second inauguration. Following the 2024 loss for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, the chosen chair will spearhead efforts to address the party’s structural issues and strategize against the Trump administration.

The Rules & Bylaws Committee will meet on December 12 to finalize the regulations for these elections. In addition to the chair, they will elect other key positions including vice chairs, treasurer, secretary, and national finance chair. Historically, candidates have needed to submit a nominating statement with signatures from 40 DNC members, a requirement likely to persist in 2025.

Two candidates have declared their intent to run for chair: Ken Martin, current chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and a current vice chair of the national party, and Martin O'Malley, the former Maryland governor now managing the Social Security Administration. Several other prominent Democrats, such as former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke and Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, are either contemplating running or are being encouraged to join the race.

Harrison underlined that the DNC is committed to a transparent and fair election process, allowing grassroots Democrats to engage through live-streamed forums. He also declared his intention to remain neutral in the election.

The incoming chair will face the challenge of revitalizing a party disheartened by a second Trump victory and will oversee preparations for the 2028 presidential nomination, reinforcing the role’s significance in shaping the future of the Democratic Party.