Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said Thursday he is backing Ben Wikler, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, to lead the national party as it rebuilds from stinging November losses.
Mr. Schumer, New York Democrat, said Mr. Wikler has the right qualities to serve as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
“He’s a tenacious organizer, a proven fundraiser, a sharp communicator, & able to reach out to all segments of the Democratic Party. Most importantly, he knows how to win,” Mr. Schumer posted on X through his campaign account.
Democrats will elect a new chairman on Feb. 1 after a series of candidate forums in January.
Other contenders include Minnesota Democratic Party Chairman Ken Martin, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, former Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson, New York state Sen. James Skoufis and Nate Snyder, a former Department of Homeland Security official.
Mr. Wikler, a former senior adviser with the progressive MoveOn organization, became Wisconsin’s party chair in 2019.
Since then, he’s managed a series of wins, including the governor’s seat and major state legislative seats. Democrats held onto a U.S. Senate seat in Wisconsin this cycle even though Vice President Kamala Harris lost the state.
Mr. Wikler is urging Democrats to focus on building the middle class and be more aggressive in communicating with voters.
“Today, millions of voters get most of their information about Democrats from Republicans,” he said in December. “To win, we have to change that — by communicating and organizing everywhere, and on every platform. We need a year-round campaign operation in every state, fighting up and down the ballot.”
Mr. Wikler has drawn praise from an array of Democrats, though Mr. Schumer’s endorsement is the most prominent.
Democrats will rely on whoever wins the DNC race to pick up the pieces after a difficult 2024 cycle in which the GOP took control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.
“I have said since the day after the election that Democrats should view this moment as a challenge,” said Mr. Schumer, who will be the Senate minority leader in the next Congress. “We must listen to the American people, learn from the results, and move forward stronger. That’s why I am enthusiastically supporting [Mr. Wikler] to be the next Chair of the DNC.”
Later Thursday, Mr. Wikler said he appreciated the high-profile boost.
“Leader Schumer knows the stakes of this moment, and I appreciate his faith in me to lead our party forward to win — at every level of the ballot,” Mr. Wikler wrote on X.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.