Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Thursday that he’s throwing his support behind Ben Wikler, the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, to take the helm of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
“I have said since the day after the election that Democrats should view this moment as a challenge. We must listen to the American people, learn from the results, and move forward stronger,” Schumer said in a statement on X. “That’s why I am enthusiastically supporting @benwikler to be the next Chair of the DNC.”
Schumer called Wikler a “tenacious organizer, a proven fundraiser, a sharp communicator, & able to reach out to all segments of the Democratic Party” while emphasizing that he “knows how to win.”
Wikler is among a handful of candidates running for DNC chair next month. Other hopefuls include Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party; former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley; New York state Sen. James Skoufis (D) and former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official Nate Snyder.
Former Maryland Senate candidate Robert Houton and former presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson are also in the running but are seen as longshots.
The New York Democrat’s endorsement of Wikler is one of his most prominent nods yet. The Wisconsin state party chair has also earned endorsements from centrist Third Way, MoveOn and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) — demonstrating his appeal across the spectrum of party members.
Schumer’s endorsement, however, could encourage other undecided DNC members and leaders within the party to also back Wikler.
Martin has also notched at least 100 endorsements from DNC members.
The DNC chair election takes place on Feb. 1.
