Michigan lawmaker who spoke at Dem convention endorses Wikler for DNC chair

Michigan state Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow (D), a rising star in the party who spoke at the Democratic National Convention last year, is endorsing Wisconsin state party chair Ben Wikler to helm the Democratic National Committee.

“Watching what Ben has built in Wisconsin shows he knows that we must build up the organizing infrastructure everywhere to unrig our state's from unchallenged GOP control,” McMorrow said in a statement shared through Wikler’s team and first shared with The Hill.

“But more than that, he understands that it doesn't matter how much we raise or how many doors we knock if people don't want to hear from us before the door opens,” she continued. “Ben has made the rest of the country perk up and pay attention to Wisconsin - hell, he made a Wisconsin State Supreme Court race national news by breaking down, in plain language, how important the race was and why people should care about it.”

McMorrow grabbed the national spotlight after a 2022 viral speech in which she addressed a GOP colleague’s fundraising email that accused her of grooming and sexualizing kindergartners.

McMorrow spoke on the first day of the Democrats’ convention last year and was even floated as a potential DNC chair candidate before she decided to forgo a run.

Wikler in his own statement said it “means the world” to have her endorsement.

“Her commitment to moving the Democratic Party forward is a model for us all: to listen to everyone and anyone who feels like their country is not fighting for them, to communicate powerful messages everywhere, and to help Democrats use the language that people use in their real lives,” he said.

Wikler is among eight candidates running for DNC chair. Other candidates include Minnesota state party chair Ken Martin, who’s received more than 100 DNC committee member endorsements; former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), who has over 60 endorsements from members; New York state Sen. James Skoufis; and former presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson, among others.

The DNC chair election is Feb. 1.

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