DNC holds leadership election on Feb. 1

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will hold its leadership elections Feb. 1, less than two weeks after President-elect Trump is inaugurated.

Elections will take place at the party's winter meeting in National Harbor, Md., according to a Monday press release.

Jamie Harrison, chair of the DNC, rolled out next steps for the election, which will decide the roles of chair, vice chairs, treasurer, secretary and national finance chair. The DNC will host four forums, mixed in-person and online, for candidates to present themselves. The forums will be held in January, but further details are unknown at this time.

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The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee is scheduled to meet Dec. 12 to recommend rules for nominations and elections.

“As my time as Chair comes to a close, and we prepare to undertake the critical work of holding the Trump Administration and Republican Party accountable for their extremism and false promises, we are beginning to lay out the process for upcoming DNC officer elections in the New Year,” Harrison said in the release. “The DNC is committed to running a transparent, equitable, and impartial election for the next generation of leadership to guide the party forward.”

There are 448 active DNC members, including 200 state elected members from 57 states, territories and Democrats Abroad and 73 at-large members elected by the DNC.

Harrison has been chair since Jan. 21, 2021, and is not expected to try for another term.

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) said on Nov. 18 he would run for the spot. Minnesota state Democratic leader Ken Martin jumped in the following day, and multiple other names are being floated for the slot. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel is reportedly weighing a bid, though David Axelrod — who was an adviser to former President Obama — and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) publicly clashed over the suggestion in recent weeks.

“What we need to see is somebody who can take the very, very clear lessons of not just this election, but the past several presidential elections, where we’ve gone from winning very conclusively [to] eking out and white-knuckling a very narrow victory … and really apply it to how we approach elections writ large going forward,” said Democratic strategist Jon Reinish told The Hill.