A growing number of Democrats are calling for Ken Martin to step down as head of the Democratic National Committee, arguing that the party’s debt and the bungled release of the party’s 2024 election autopsy make him unfit to lead the committee ahead of a crucial midterm.
But within the committee, Martin’s core base of supporters — state party leaders and rank-and-file members — appears to be sticking beside him.
In interviews, Martin’s supporters said they agreed with his approach to spend more money early to invest in organizing, new technology and building up state parties, even if it means the party is trailing Republicans and has more debts than cash on hand.
Supporters have pointed to the party’s wins in 2025 elections and dozens of special elections as evidence his strategy is working. And they’ve welcomed the changes he’s made to the party internally.
“Chair Ken Martin has my full support, 100%,” Jeanna Repass, chair of the Kansas Democratic Party, told CNN. “I believe that there’s so many metrics to a successful leader beyond just fundraising.”
