In order to qualify as a candidate for chair, prospective candidates had to submit a nominating statement signed by 40 DNC members by January 25, 2025.
Declared • Quintessa Hathaway, educator and nominee for in
2022 •
Martin O'Malley, commissioner of the
Social Security Administration (2023–2024), former
governor of Maryland (2007–2015), and candidate for president in
2016 • Jason Paul, executive member of the
Newton, Massachusetts Democratic City Committee (2016–present) •
Faiz Shakir, campaign manager for
Bernie Sanders's
2020 presidential campaign •
Ben Wikler, chair of the
Wisconsin Democratic Party (2019–2025) File:20201024 km 125 (cropped).jpg|alt=Minnesota DFL chair Ken Martin (2011–present)| File:Martin O’Malley SSA (3x4).jpg|alt=Social Security Administration commissioner Martin O'Malley (2023–2024)| File:Jason Paul (cropped).jpg|alt=Newton, Massachusetts Democratic City Committee executive member Jason Paul| File:Faiz Shakir on The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann (cropped).jpg| File:Ben Wikler being interviewed by local news.jpg||alt=Wisconsin DemocraticParty chairBen Wikler(2019–present)
Disqualified • Robert Houton, nonprofit executive and candidate in the
2024 United States Senate election in Maryland Withdrawn •
James Skoufis, member of the
New York State Senate (2019–present) and former member of the
New York State Assembly (2013–2018)
(endorsed Martin) • Nate Snyder, former United States Department of Homeland Security official
(endorsed Martin) •
Marianne Williamson, author and candidate for president in
2020 and
2024 (endorsed Martin) Declined •
Stacey Abrams, former minority leader of the
Georgia House of Representatives (2011–2017) from the 84th district (2007–2013) and 89th district (2013–2017) and candidate for
governor of Georgia in
2018 and
2022 •
Andy Beshear,
governor of Kentucky (2019–present) •
Sherrod Brown,
U.S. senator from
Ohio (2007–2025) •
Laphonza Butler,
U.S. senator from
California (2023–2024) and former president of
EMILY's List (2021–2023) •
Pete Buttigieg,
U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–2025), former
mayor of South Bend (2012–2020), and candidate for DNC chair in
2017 and president in
2020 •
Marcia Fudge, former
U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2021–2024) and
U.S. Representative from (2008–2021) ''(endorsed O'Malley)
(endorsed O'Malley)
(endorsed Wikler)'' •
Phil Murphy,
governor of New Jersey (2018–2026) •
Dean Phillips, former
U.S. Representative from
Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2019–2025) and
candidate for president in 2024 (endorsed Martin) == Forums and debates ==