Randi Weingarten Exits DNC Amid Party Turmoil
Randi Weingarten, the influential president of the American Federation of Teachers and a stalwart member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for over two decades, has decided to part ways with the DNC, as revealed in a letter obtained by POLITICO.
In her correspondence dated June 5, Weingarten expressed her fundamental disagreements with DNC Chair Ken Martin, stating, “I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging.” She further articulated her discontent with the party’s current trajectory, lamenting the lack of efforts to broaden the party’s appeal and engage more communities.
This departure is emblematic of the ongoing factional disputes within the Democratic Party, suggesting that internal finger-pointing and criticism are unlikely to subside anytime soon. Weingarten has previously defended former DNC vice chair David Hogg, who was recently ousted from his committee position following backlash over his initiative to fund primary challenges against certain Democratic incumbents he deems ineffective in solidly blue districts.
Moreover, Weingarten had backed Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler in the recent DNC leadership election, a choice that clearly did not align with Martin’s vision. After Martin assumed leadership, he subsequently removed Weingarten from her long-standing role on the DNC’s rules and bylaws committee, a position she had held since 2009.
According to a spokesperson for Weingarten, the announcement of her departure was met with applause from fellow DNC members, highlighting her reputation as a proud Democrat even amid this schism.
Martin himself has faced scrutiny from some within the party following remarks made in a private discussion, where he expressed frustration over Hogg’s actions, suggesting they undermined his leadership potential. “I don’t know if I wanna do this anymore,” he reportedly stated, which has drawn mixed reactions from party members; while some support Martin, others have criticized Hogg as a source of division.
This internal discord is particularly noteworthy as the Democrats grapple with the aftermath of a disappointing performance in the 2024 elections, prompting urgent discussions about the future direction of the party.
As of now, Martin has not responded to requests for comment, leaving the party’s next steps shrouded in uncertainty.
