DNC Chair Ken Martin says current particular election outcomes present Democrats are heading in the right direction for 2026, and tells detractors to “cease bitching” and assist the celebration’s efforts.
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Final yr, the Democrats misplaced the White Home and management of the Senate. This yr, the celebration has completed noticeably higher in particular elections. The Democratic Nationwide Committee says it is investing extra time and extra sources into federal, state and native races. NPR political correspondent Stephen Fowler sat down with DNC Chairman Ken Martin over the weekend and he requested if that plan appears to be working.
STEPHEN FOWLER, BYLINE: Why is the pinnacle of the Democratic Occasion in a suburban Atlanta espresso store on a random Saturday in September?
KEN MARTIN: Effectively, I will inform you why. We have a extremely necessary state Senate particular election right here in Senate District 21, which we’re investing in. We imagine we now have an actual shot at profitable.
FOWLER: In that particular election runoff this previous Tuesday, they didn’t flip the deep-red seat. However Martin and others within the celebration do view it as a win as a result of the Democrat, Debra Shigley, improved the celebration’s margin by double digits from November. For his or her half, Republicans aren’t involved and tout their very own enthusiasm. Georgia Republican Occasion Chairman Josh McKoon stated the victory was as a result of Republicans, quote, “reduce via the noise with a coordinated funding in digital and social media messages to get out the vote.”
MARTIN: , the truth is what we’re seeing proper now, after all, is numerous enthusiasm amongst Democrats. Individuals are energized. Individuals perceive that we now have to face up and struggle again.
FOWLER: As a result of it is not a one-off consequence. In about 40 particular elections since President Trump was reelected in November, Democrats have overperformed by a mean of about 15%. In an interview earlier than this week’s elections, Martin stated he has an thought why.
MARTIN: Lots of the teams that Donald Trump gained in 2024, he is misplaced appreciable floor with, together with impartial voters, younger voters, the Latino neighborhood, the AAPI neighborhood, girls.
FOWLER: So Martin is optimistic for subsequent yr’s midterms.
MARTIN: The necessary factor to recollect is midterm elections should not a referendum on the celebration that is not in energy. So our numbers actually do not matter right here, proper? Donald Trump is at an all-time low when it comes to his favorability and his approval numbers. The Republican Occasion is as nicely.
FOWLER: However the numbers aren’t nice for the Democratic Occasion, both. And opposition to Trump doesn’t inherently imply voters like what Democrats are promoting. The DNC chairman, elected in February by celebration insiders after main Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Occasion for 14 years, says they’re engaged on it.
MARTIN: Guess what? We are able to stroll and chew gum on the similar time. We are able to each resist Donald Trump whereas additionally giving folks a way of what we’re combating for and the way their lives would enhance with Democrats again in energy.
FOWLER: As for these inside the celebration who say the Democrats aren’t doing sufficient to win elections or push again towards Trump insurance policies they do not like, Martin has a blunt response.
MARTIN: Cease bitching. Cease complaining. Roll up your sleeves and get within the recreation.
FOWLER: Extra diplomatically, the chairman factors out he is been to 32 states since taking up the DNC. The celebration has been organizing in additional locations sooner than regular, and there is been funding in behind-the-scenes infrastructure that does not seize as many headlines.
MARTIN: And so, once more, folks ask what the DNC is doing. We’re profitable. We have been profitable since I have been chair, and we’ll proceed to win as a result of we’re doing the issues that assist put us ready to do this.
FOWLER: Nonetheless, one in all Martin’s go-to quips is that there aren’t any brownie factors for coming in second place – a spot that Democrats nonetheless discover themselves in, with little energy in Washington. Stephen Fowler, NPR Information, Alpharetta, Georgia.
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