On Thursday, Marianne Williamson announced her candidacy for the chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), entering a competitive race among candidates aiming to revitalize the party after its recent electoral issues.
In a post on her Substack, Williamson remarked, “MAGA is a distinctly 21st century political movement and it will not be defeated by a 20th century tool kit.
Data analysis, fundraising, field organizing, and beefed-up technology — while all are important — will not be enough to prepare the way for Democratic victory in 2024 and beyond. That’s why I have decided to run for DNC Chair this year.”
Drawing on her experiences from campaigning in 2020 and 2024, she stated that her firsthand knowledge of past mistakes has provided her with valuable insights into the necessary changes for future success.
In 2020, the self-help author suspended her presidential campaign prior to the Iowa Democratic caucus. During this current cycle, she temporarily suspended her campaign in February before reinstating it, yet she remained a long-shot candidate.
Williamson is now part of an expanding group of contenders seeking to succeed Jaime Harrison, the current DNC Chair, who has served since 2021 and is not expected to run for re-election.
Other announced candidates include New York state Senator James Skoufis (D), Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, and former Homeland Security official Nate Snyder.
As Democrats reflect on their losses in 2024, the chair race is a crucial step in defining a new strategy leading up to the 2026 midterms and beyond.
The candidates have primarily focused on pledges to rebuild and reimagine the party in anticipation of a possible Republican trifecta in Washington, with control of the White House and both congressional chambers next month.
Williamson asserted, “As Chairwoman, I will work to reinvent the party from the inside out. For if we want a new President in four years, and a new Congress in two, then we must immediately get about the task of creating a new party.”
The election for the new party chair, along with other leadership roles within the DNC, is scheduled for February 1, shortly after President-elect Trump’s inauguration, during the party’s winter meeting at National Harbor, Maryland. The DNC plans to host four forums next month for candidates to present their platforms to the current committee members.
