Politics
Democrats Descend Into Chaos As Top DNC Official Pledges To Unseat Party’s Establishment
The Democratic National Committee is staring down a political wildfire — and it’s coming from within.
David Hogg, the 25-year-old vice chair of the DNC, has announced a $20 million plan to bankroll primary challengers against entrenched House Democrats. The initiative, led by Hogg’s group Leaders We Deserve, aims to disrupt “ineffective, asleep-at-the-wheel” incumbents in solid blue districts across the country.
“We need people, regardless of their age, that are here to fight,” Hogg said in an interview with Politico, arguing the party has been trapped in a “culture of seniority politics” that prioritizes longevity over results.
Hogg, who rose to national prominence from the 2018 Parkland school shooting, has never shied away from controversy. But his latest move — as an elected national party official — breaks from DNC tradition and puts him on a direct collision course with leadership.
Party insiders are reportedly upset behind the scenes, warning that Hogg’s effort could fracture Democrats at a time when they’re trying to present a unified front against President Donald Trump.
WASHINGTON, DC – March 22, 2023: Gun safety activist and Parkland school shooting survivor David Hogg speaks outside the U.S. Capitol about the proposed Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act.
In a statement, DNC Chair Ken Martin offered a diplomatic response, calling Hogg a “passionate advocate” and thanking him for his work. But he reaffirmed the party’s official stance: “In order to ensure we are as effective as possible at electing Democrats to office, it is the DNC’s longstanding position that primary voters — not the national party — determine their Democratic candidates for the general election.”
Privately, however, the reaction is far more tense. A DNC aide revealed that every other officer besides Hogg had signed a neutrality pledge vowing not to meddle in primaries, even in a personal capacity. Hogg’s refusal to do the same has rattled many within the organization.
“There are disagreements in our party about the right way to approach this moment,” Hogg admitted, but added that even amid tensions, Martin is “doing an excellent job of building and reforming our party.”
What makes Hogg’s campaign all the more disruptive is that it’s coming from someone within the tent. Traditionally, the DNC and its affiliated arms focus on flipping swing districts and defending incumbents.
Washington, DC USA – June 11, 2022: Activist David Hogg speaks at the March for Our Lives rally at the Washington Monument.
Hogg is flipping that playbook on its head — targeting only safe blue seats while promising not to touch battleground races. “I want us to win the majority,” he said.
Though Hogg has emphasized that age alone isn’t his metric, his push is clearly generational. “Our base is craving dramatic change,” he told Politico. “We need to show our base we’re here to fight for them. We need to show there are younger faces stepping up.”
However, he praised Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as “fighters who are delivering,” even as both face younger challengers this cycle. He confirmed Leaders We Deserve will stay out of those races — a rare gesture of deference amid an otherwise bold crusade.
Democratic operatives familiar with internal discussions expect more primary challenges to emerge, especially as Hogg’s group prepares to pour money and attention into these fights.
Even some longtime party strategists are stunned by the scale and audacity of the plan. For many, it represents a direct challenge to the institutional power of the Democratic establishment — which they fear could weaken their ability to take on Republicans in 2026.
“I am not in this position because I want to bank my political capital. I just want change. I want to see a stronger Democratic Party,” Hogg said.
