Latest news with #BenWikler
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Teachers union head Randi Weingarten resigns from DNC
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten is departing the Democratic National Committee (DNC), citing disagreements with DNC Chair Ken Martin. Weingarten told Martin in a letter dated June 5 and obtained by The Hill on Sunday that she was declining to be reappointed as an at-large member of the committee. 'While I am a proud Democrat, I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our community,' wrote Weingarten, who has served as a DNC member for 23 years. Weingarten backed then-Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler to serve as DNC chair during elections earlier this year. Weingarten was later removed by Martin from the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee. A source close to the DNC told The Hill they were not surprised by Weingarten's move to step down, noting her differences with Martin. 'Ever since the horse she bet on in the Chairs race lost, she has always been on the other side of the fence as Ken — this is no surprise,' the source said. A longtime Democratic strategist criticized Weingarten's resignation for being poorly timed, alluding to the weekend 'No Kings' protests across the country with large crowds turning out to criticize President Trump's administration. 'Especially when the country just showed up by the millions across all demographic and geographic boundaries to take on Trump grassroots style it's flabbergasting to me that a senior DNC member, much less one as supposedly committed as Randi, would take the moment to make it all-about-her,' the strategist said. 'Today, party leadership should figure out how to not just ride a wave but lead a movement, not continue with internecine persona-driven drama.' Weingarten is a powerful figure on the political left. The AFT boasts roughly 1.8 million members and has significant influence on the Democratic Party and its candidates. Her exit comes as the DNC has had to grapple with internal divisions being laid bare in recent weeks. Former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg has been vocally critical of the party's leadership, writing in a post on the social platform X last week that the party's leaders have been 'asleep at the wheel.' The infighting has threatened to stall the party's efforts to rebuild seven months after Trump won a second term. Hogg faced backlash from many Democrats, including from within the DNC, for launching an organization that would primary incumbent House Democrats in an effort to bring about generational change within the party. Hogg said he would not be vying for his spot as vice chair in the DNC after an overwhelming majority of DNC committee members voted to redo the vice chair elections of Hogg and Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who was elected again to the post on Saturday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Randi Weingarten Quits D.N.C. Post in Dispute With Chairman
Randi Weingarten, the longtime leader of one of the nation's most influential labor unions and a major voice in Democratic politics, has resigned from the Democratic National Committee. She pointed to disagreements with the party's new chairman, Ken Martin. Ms. Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, had supported Mr. Martin's rival in the chairmanship race early this year, Ben Wikler, the chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Mr. Martin subsequently removed Ms. Weingarten from the party's Rules and Bylaws Committee, a powerful body that sets the calendar and process for the Democratic Party's presidential nominating process. In her resignation letter, dated earlier this month and obtained on Sunday evening, Ms. Weingarten wrote that she would decline Mr. Martin's offer to reappoint her to the broader national committee, on which she has served since 2002. She had been on the Rules and Bylaws committee since 2009. 'While I am proud to be a Democrat, I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our communities,' Ms. Weingarten wrote in her resignation letter to Mr. Martin, which was dated June 5. Ms. Weingarten is an influential figure in the Democratic Party and the leader of a union that counts 1.8 million members. Mr. Martin has recently faced scrutiny and criticism from within the party. His leadership was openly challenged by David Hogg, a party vice chairman who announced he would fund primary challenges to sitting Democrats — an action long considered out of bounds for top party officials. Mr. Hogg announced last week he would not seek to retain his post after the party voted to redo the vice chair election, after it had been challenged on an unrelated technicality. Notably, Ms. Weingarten had endorsed Mr. Hogg's efforts, saying it was necessary to 'ruffle some feathers.' On Friday, during an appearance at the Center for American Progress in Washington, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, a longtime Martin ally, said he still had confidence in the party leader but regretted the public squabbling. 'I certainly wished we wouldn't have dirty laundry in public, but you know the personalities, things happen,' said Mr. Walz, who endorsed both Mr. Martin and Mr. Hogg in the party elections this year. 'I don't think Ken's focus has shifted one bit on this of expanding the party.' Mr. Martin and a party spokeswoman did not immediately respond to messages about Ms. Weingarten's resignation.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wisconsin Democratic Convention, new party chair to be elected
The Brief Wisconsin Democrats will elect a new party chair at this year's state convention. Ben Wikler is credited with transforming the party into a fundraising powerhouse. The convention may provide insight into whether Evers intends to run for reelection. MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin Democrats will elect a new party chair at this year's state convention, which runs Saturday and Sunday. What's next Delegates will decide who will succeed WisDems Chair Ben Wikler. In April, the party announced that he would not seek a fourth term. He was first elected in 2019. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Wikler is credited with transforming the party into a fundraising powerhouse that helped lead to some big wins for Democrats statewide during his tenure – including successful reelection campaigns for Gov. Tony Evers and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. >>IMAGE>> Three candidates, Glendale Mayor Bryan Kennedy among them, have emerged to succeed Wikler. Sarah Abel, WisDems executive director, said whoever wins will have big shoes to fill. "I think the qualities that each of these candidates bring are similar. They have knowledge of how to run and win elections. They have some knowledge when it comes to fundraising, and they have knowledge when it comes to messaging and media," she said. "I think those are the really core things, understanding our organizing and our county parties, who are the backbone of this state party, is really important, and I think all three candidates understand that." Republican Party of Wisconsin Chair Brian Schimming was reelected to his second term in December. The convention could also provide insight into whether Gov. Tony Evers intends to run for reelection. Evers has repeatedly said he won't make a decision about whether to run for a third term in 2026 until after the upcoming state budget is done. Earlier this month, Senate Republicans said they were confident the Legislature would pass a budget that Evers would sign into law. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Abel said she is hopeful the governor will decide to run for a third term. "I'm not going to question his decisions on when he should be making those decisions," she said. "I certainly hope he will run again. He's been an incredible leader for this state and for our party. And you know, we're looking to our entire convention theme is 'Road to 2026.' We're looking to flip the state House and state Senate to give him partners to work with, so we can hopefully finally pass some legislation." Evers is listed as the final speaker before a keynote address on Saturday night. The Source FOX6 News interviewed Abel and referenced an Associated Press report for this story.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ben Wikler to leave Wisconsin Democratic Party in June
Ben Wikler, who transformed the Wisconsin Democratic Party into a fundraising juggernaut, is leaving his position in June. The Wisconsin state party chair announced his decision to not run for reelection in a letter on Thursday, calling it 'the right time for me to take a breath' and 'find new ways to advance the fight for a country that works for working people.' In a brief interview with POLITICO, Wikler said he's now considering writing a book. He also didn't close the door on running for political office himself — 'maybe at some point,' he said, adding that 'we have amazing Democrats in office right now.' 'Wisconsin has a pro-democracy Supreme Court through 2028, which means Wisconsin won't be re-gerrymandered, and we have a serious shot at a trifecta in 2026,' Wikler said. 'Our state party is in great shape. The best time to pass the torch is when an organization is on an upswing.' Wikler's announcement comes about a week after he helped engineer Democrats' first major electoral victory in the second Donald Trump administration, when the liberal state Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford won her seat by a 10 percentage point victory. It's also two months after Wikler lost his own bid for Democratic National Committee chair. Wikler, who was first elected in 2019, turned a traditionally low-profile gig into an influential, nationally-recognized perch. He turned a weak state party into a well-funded machine, winning 12 out of the last 15 statewide elections. Even so, Trump won the state in 2024. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin will hold chair elections to replace Wikler in mid June.
Politico
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Ben Wikler to leave Wisconsin Democratic Party in June
Ben Wikler, who transformed the Wisconsin Democratic Party into a fundraising juggernaut, is leaving his position in June. The Wisconsin state party chair announced his decision to not run for reelection in a letter on Thursday, calling it 'the right time for me to take a breath' and 'find new ways to advance the fight for a country that works for working people.' In a brief interview with POLITICO, Wikler said he's now considering writing a book. He also didn't close the door on running for political office himself — 'maybe at some point,' he said, adding that 'we have amazing Democrats in office right now.' 'Wisconsin has a pro-democracy Supreme Court through 2028, which means Wisconsin won't be re-gerrymandered, and we have a serious shot at a trifecta in 2026,' Wikler said. 'Our state party is in great shape. The best time to pass the torch is when an organization is on an upswing.' Wikler's announcement comes about a week after he helped engineer Democrats' first major electoral victory in the second Donald Trump administration, when the liberal state Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford won her seat by a 10 percentage point victory. It's also two months after Wikler lost his own bid for Democratic National Committee chair. Wikler, who was first elected in 2019, turned a traditionally low-profile gig into an influential, nationally-recognized perch. He turned a weak state party into a well-funded machine, winning 12 out of the last 15 statewide elections. Even so, Trump won the state in 2024. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin will hold chair elections to replace Wikler in mid June.
