Ex-Presidential Candidate Announces Bid For DNC Chair

Marianne Williamson, an author and two-time Democratic Party presidential candidate, announced Thursday that she is launching a campaign to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee.

In a video statement announcing her candidacy, Williamson pointed to the success of President-elect Donald Trump in calling for radical changes in strategy at the DNC. “For those of us who wish to be part of a passionate, fierce, but loyal opposition to what the Republicans are bringing forth in 2025 and beyond, there’s a lot for us to think about. I feel that in order for the Democrats to rise like a phoenix from the ashes of our electoral defeat, we need to look at more than just the outer issues, such as data analysis and field organizing and fundraising. We need to transform,” she said.

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“In a way, we need to reinvent the Democratic Party in order to counter what MAGA is bringing to the table. There’s a collective adrenaline rush in all of that, and we have to create our own massive psychological and emotional appeal for the American people.”

Williamson, who most recently ran for president in 2024, went on to say that she “understands” why Democrats lost in November while painting the picture of a party that is out of touch. “And today I am announcing I’m running for DNC chair because I feel that I can bring a level of expertise to the process of lifting up this possibility of victory over the next two and four years in a way that will not occur if we are only looking traditional means of politicking in order to make that happen. I know how deeply we need to listen to people. I know that we need to hear people. We need to humble ourselves,” she continued.

Williamson is the latest candidate to announce her candidacy to replace outgoing DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. She joins a wide field of candidates that includes former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, New York state Sen. James Skoufis and former Maryland Senate candidate Robert Houton.

Gun control activist David Hogg has also expressed interest in a bid, though he has yet to formally announce.

While several candidates have come forward, the debate over the direction of the DNC going forward has been contentious. Harrison has rejected the notion that the party needs to move away from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies and identity politics.

In a racially-focused speech to state Democratic Party chairs in Arizona last month, Harrison urged black democrats and other “people of color” to forcefully push back against the notion that the party should redirect focus from DEI policies. “When I wake up in the morning, when I look in the mirror, when I step out the door, I can’t rub this off,” he said, drawing attention to his own racial identity. “This is who I am. This is how the world perceives me.”

Harrison continued, “That is my identity, and it is not politics. It is my life. And the people that I need in the party, that I need to stand up for me, have to recognize that. You cannot run away from that.”

Elsewhere in his speech, Harrison stated that he plans to air several grievances once he leaves his post, stating that “the muzzle comes off” the day after his replacement is elected on February 1. He further stated that he has no plans to endorse a replacement.

“That’s it for you all,” Harrison said towards the conclusion of his speech. “Because I’m saving the rest for my book. And I am naming names.”

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