Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin said Thursday that the committee’s officers are not free to get involved in the party’s primaries amid DNC Vice Chair David Hogg’s efforts to primary safe House Democrats ahead of next year’s midterms.
“No DNC officer should ever attempt to influence the outcome of a primary election,” Martin told reporters on a press call.
“While certainly I understand what he’s trying to do, as I’ve said to him — if you want to challenge incumbents, you’re free to do that, just not as an officer of the DNC,” he continued.
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Martin emphasized he has “great respect” for Hogg and referred to him as an “amazing young leader.”
The DNC chair’s comments came amid reports he would announce a proposal to change the party’s rules requiring all DNC officers stay neutral in intraparty contests.
Hogg made headlines last week when his group Leaders We Deserve announced a $20 million effort to primary safe House Democrats. The DNC vice chair emphasized in the effort’s rollout that the group would not target House Democrats facing uphill reelection bids, also known as Frontline Members.
In a statement following Hogg’s announcement last week, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) noted the party was united going into the midterms.
In a statement, the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) said the party was united heading into the midterms.
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“What I would tell anyone who wants to be helpful or to donate is to focus on those races where we can take back the majority. We just released our map of Districts in Play, the races where we have opportunities to win all across the country. This is how we win and make sure there is a check on this administration,” DelBene said.
Last week, Leaders We Deserve gave $100,000 to the DCCC.
On Thursday’s call with reporters, Martin also announced the DNC will make a $1 million investment into state parties. The investment is a part of the committee’s “Organize Everywhere, Win Everywhere” plan and will include a monthly investment of $17,500 to state parties. Republican states will receive an additional $5,000 per month, bringing their total to $22,500.
