In a reversal of his position from one month ago, Gov. Tim Walz has now said he will back Minnesota’s top-ranking DFL organizer, Ken Martin, for chair of the Democratic National Committee.
In a social media post on Thursday afternoon, the two-term Minnesota governor and one-time vice presidential candidate threw his political weight toward Martin in what is proving to be a competitive race for DNC chair.
I’ve seen Ken Martin’s leadership in action, and it's exactly what we need from our next DNC Chair.
Ken has built a national model for how to elect Democrats in a competitive state. His undefeated record has helped make Minnesota a leader for passing policies to improve lives. pic.twitter.com/07gBBLcwZC
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) January 9, 2025
“I’ve seen Ken Martin’s leadership in action, and it’s exactly what we need from our next DNC Chair,” Walz said in an X post that was accompanied by a photo of Walz and Martin smiling and standing side by side. “Ken has built a national model for how to elect Democrats in a competitive state. His undefeated record has helped make Minnesota a leader for passing policies to improve lives.”
Earlier in the day, Martin wasted no time in posting to social media a New York Times story painted with the headline, “Tim Walz Endorses Ken Martin, a Fellow Minnesotan, to Lead the D.N.C.”
In the story, Walz is referred to as the “highest-profile” Democrat to endorse Martin in the race for DNC chair. It failed to mention that just three weeks ago Walz told a Minnesota radio station that he was “staying out” of endorsing anyone for DNC chair.
Martin: Democrats getting their ‘butts kicked’ following Trump win
Martin, who has led the DFL Party of Minnesota since 2011, admitted when he announced his campaign for DNC chair in November that “Democrats are getting their butts kicked right now.” That came just days after President-elect Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz in the presidential election.
During that December interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Walz was directly asked if Martin is the person “who should be leading the DNC” in its effort to learn what Democrats could have done differently during the 2024 election cycle.
“Well Ken, he’s done a great job here, I’ve made no bones about that,” Walz answered, before making it clear he won’t make an endorsement for DNC chair. “We’ve won statewide elections; we continue to do so. I’m staying out of that one and will let the DNC decide.”
Martin, Wisconsin Dems leader considered frontrunners
The Democratic National Committee will elect a new chair at its annual meeting on Feb. 1.
Martin is boasting to media outlets and political pundits that he has commitments from at least 100 of 448 DNC members who will choose the chair. The winner will replace outgoing DNC chair Jerome Harrison.
Others still considered frontrunners along with Martin to lead the DNC include Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wiklund and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.
Martin, 51, isn’t the first Minnesotan to vie for the Democratic Party’s top national salesperson. In 2016, then-Congressman Keith Ellison ran for DNC Chair, and came up short in a close race to winner Tom Perez. Ellison took on a role as vice chair for the DNC and continued to represent Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District.
Hank Long
Hank Long is a journalism and communications professional whose writing career includes coverage of the Minnesota legislature, city and county governments and the commercial real estate industry. Hank received his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, where he studied journalism, and his law degree at the University of St. Thomas. The Minnesota native lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and four children. His dream is to be around when the Vikings win the Super Bowl.
