The chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Monday told party leaders that his successor will be chosen on February 1.
The DNC election comes soon after President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, and the new chair will have an integral role in how Democrats respond to Trump's White House.
How the DNC Picks a New Chair
In a letter to the Democrats' Rules & Bylaws Committee, current DNC chair Jaime Harrison detailed the process of how the party will elect his successor.
He that the committee will hold four candidate forums in January before the final election on February 1. That election will take place during a DNC meeting in National Harbor, Maryland.
Prior to the election, members of the Rules & Bylaws Committee will meet in December to finalize other rules for the selection process, which will also include the steps for choosing other positions such as national finance chair, treasurer and vice chairs.
"The DNC is committed to running a transparent, equitable, and impartial election for the next generation of leadership to guide the party forward," Harrison said in a statement.
He continued, "Electing the Chair and DNC officers is one of the most important responsibilities of the DNC Membership, and our staff will run an inclusive and transparent process that gives members the opportunity to get to know the candidates as they prepare to cast their votes."
Who Is Running for DNC Chair?
Thus far, only two Democrats have declared themselves candidates to be the next DNC chair.
On November 18, Martin O'Malley, the former Maryland governor and current commissioner of the Social Security Administration, was the first to announce he would seek the position. The following day, Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and a vice chair of the national party, also threw his hat into the ring.
Other Democrats Reportedly Considering the Role
Other Democrats are expected to vie for the position, including Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan and a former mayor of Chicago. While David Axelrod—a ex-strategist to former President President Barack Obama—has publicly endorsed Emanuel, he's been lambasted by New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who said Emanuel was emblematic of a "disease in Washington of Democrats who spend more time listening to the donor class than working people."
In addition to Emanuel, other Democrats who are reportedly considering the position or are favored by members of their party to seek the role include Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb; Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler; Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin; Michael Blake, a former vice chair of the party; Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow; Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha; and former Texas Representative Beto O'Rourke.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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