Hill Democrats don't want to talk about Ken Martin
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin speaks in Rochester, Minn., on May 29. Photo: Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images
While a handful of congressional Democrats have come out for Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin to resign this week, most simply don't want to broach the subject.
Why it matters: The apathy points to minimal momentum in the party for Martin's ouster despite bombshell stories revealing severe problems at the DNC ranging from its ongoing financial woes to an HR investigation.
- The party committee has asked its vendors to defer bills until after November to avoid sinking further into debt, the New York Times reported.
- The DNC even put its Washington, D.C., headquarters up for collateral last year in order to secure a $15 million loan for elections in Virginia and New Jersey, according to NOTUS.
- Martin was probed by DNC's human resources department for allegedly throwing a phone in the direction of a young aide, both outlets reported.
Driving the news: Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.) became the latest House Democrat to call for Martin's ouster on Sunday, writing in a post on X, "Ken Martin must resign."
- "As Democrats, we have become too captured by failing strategies ... The urgency of this moment will not reward—and our children will not forgive—torpidity," he said.
- Liccardo follows Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), who wrote on Sunday in response to a third report about troubles at the DNC: "There are a number of great democratic leaders who can very competently, brilliantly and strategically lead the DNC. And they're all women."
- They join several other House Democrats who pushed for Martin to resign or be removed after the messy release of the DNC's 2024 election autopsy in May.
By the number: Axios contacted more than 60 House Democrats to ask whether they think Martin should resign, but only around a half dozen responded on the record.
- One House Democrat, who spoke to Axios on the condition of anonymity, said they agree with Liccardo but were "not yet" prepared to go public because they would "like to tell him to his face."
- "He can't lead the DNC. He's shown no real leadership during a time where the party demands strength," this lawmaker said. "He is not our leader."
The other side: Several others offered support for Martin, with Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.) telling Axios, "I don't believe he should resign."
- Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) said Martin is "one of the few that come out to AZ to work to build our base" and is "not taking us for granted," citing his recent visit to a Native American reservation in her district.
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told NOTUS that Martin has his "full support."
Between the lines: The most common response to Axios' inquiries was essentially, "who cares?"
- "I am focused on flipping the House and I haven't even thought about the DNC. The DNC has never had a major role in the midterms and that is not going to change now," said Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.).
- Said Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.): "The story that has my focus is maintaining and expanding our lead in the generic polls and supporting Suzan DelBene's efforts to help Hakeem Jeffries be Speaker."
The bottom line: Martin doesn't appear to be facing anything close to the congressional stampede that helped oust President Biden from Democrats' presidential ticket in 2024 — at least, not yet.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to say that Rep. Sam Liccardo called for Martin's ouster on Sunday (not Monday).
