New York state Sen. James Skoufis offered his endorsement to Ken Martin after dropping out of the race to become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Skoufis, who pitched himself as an “outsider” anti-establishment force, ended his campaign Thursday, just weeks before the DNC leader will be chosen by 448 party insiders on Feb. 1
The New York lawmaker instead threw his weight behind Martin, the chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Martin called for sweeping reforms in the Democratic Party after it saw crushing defeats in November. He is widely viewed as one of the two top contenders in the DNC chair race, alongside Ben Wikler, the head of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
“I am endorsing Ken because he’s a man of integrity and I have deep respect for his vision, charisma, guts, and undefeated record in statewide races. I know that he, like me, is laser-focused on winning, not spinning,” Skoufis said in a statement. “He will recenter what is most important for our party: expanding the map and rebuilding our once-big Democratic tent by taking power outside of the DC Beltway and kicking the out-of-touch consultant class to the curb.”
Martin is perceived as the more grassroots or state-centered candidate as opposed to Wikler, who is known for his national connections and Washington insider status.
Martin has already racked up endorsements from party leaders from Indiana, Alaska, Maine, Vermont, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Ohio, as well as from the party chairs of Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Four full state DNC delegations from Missouri, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Oklahoma have also backed Martin, in addition to organizations such as MoveOn, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, and Third Way.
Meanwhile, Wikler was gifted a big boost in the race when he received Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) endorsement earlier this month. The Wisconsin Democrat is also backed by outgoing Michigan Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes, North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Anderson Clayton, and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley also gained some momentum in the race, while a slew of other candidates are additionally competing to helm the DNC.
Faiz Shakir, who managed Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-VT) 2020 presidential campaign, made a late entrance into the race this week.
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Those considered more long shot candidates include former Department of Homeland Security official Nate Synder, former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson, former Arkansas congressional candidate Quintessa Hathaway, and Massachusetts attorney Jason Paul.
The candidates will have an opportunity to pitch their vision for the future of the Democratic Party during a Thursday forum in Detroit.
