OXON HILL, Md. — On Saturday, Democrats appointed Ken Martin, the Minnesota party chair, as the new national chair, signaling a shift towards a seasoned Midwestern strategist to spearhead their efforts against Donald Trump’s presidency.
Martin takes over from Jaime Harrison of South Carolina, who chose not to run for another term after the 2024 election. That election marked a notable moment as Trump became the first Republican in two decades to win the popular vote, while also making inroads with traditional Democratic demographics such as African Americans, Latinos, and working-class voters.
“We took a hard hit in November,” said Martin, 51, during his acceptance speech. “Now it’s time to rise up, shake off the dust, and re-enter this battle.”
With this new role, Martin emerges as a key figure in the