Wisconsin state party chairman Ben Wikler has earned a key endorsement in his bid to lead the Democratic National Committee.
Stacey Abrams, a two-time Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Georgia and a leading voice in the party’s push to combat what she sees as growing voter suppression efforts, announced Monday that she is endorsing Wikler for Democratic National Committee chair.
In a statement to POLITICO, Abrams praised Wikler as “the battle-tested chair the DNC needs right now,” citing his success in fighting the “GOP’s destructive hold” in his home state and his ability to build coalitions.
“I have the deepest respect for the other candidates and their commitment to our party and our nation,” Abrams said. “Ben has shown that with year-round voter protection, smart organizing and clear messaging, we can win, especially in states where our rights are being eroded.”
Abrams’ endorsement comes days after the party held its first official candidate meeting on Saturday, the first of four ahead of the Feb. 1 Democratic National Committee elections.
“I am honored to have the endorsement of Stacey Abrams,” Wikler said in a statement to POLITICO, adding that her work in Georgia “has been an inspiration to the organization throughout the year, the ongoing campaign and the protective infrastructure of voters that we empower for historic Victories in Wisconsin. Additionally, I have been fortunate to have her as a friend, mentor and advisor.”
Abrams also expressed support for Georgia Democratic Rep. Nikema Williams, who is seeking to be vice president of Civic Engagement and Voter Participation. Unlike the race for president, that race features all candidates of color, including Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Reyna Walters-Morgan, former director of Civic Engagement and Voter Protection at the Democratic National Committee and former vice president of the Democratic National Committee, Michael Blake. .
“Nikema has steadfastly served the Georgia Democratic Party,” Abrams said. “She is a strong advocate for inclusion and equity, and her deep connection to the grassroots makes her the ideal choice to help move the DNC forward.”
He declined to endorse other Democratic National Committee leadership races, including those for vice president, secretary and treasurer.
Many party insiders consider the race for the Democratic National Committee’s top job to be a two-person race between Wikler and Ken Martin, who heads the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
Both are from upper Midwest states with very little difference between them on how they would reshape the party.
Both men promised, if elected president, to implement a year-round organizing strategy for all 50 states and seven U.S. territories and to eliminate the party’s reliance on the class of political consultants, who they claim helped fueling the perception that Democrats are largely out of touch with ordinary Americans.
“The reality is that our party has to stand up and fight again for working families and give them the feeling that we give a damn about their lives,” Martin said in an appearance on Fox News on Sunday.
For now, the biggest difference between the two favorites (and the hidden candidacy of Martin O’Malley, the former governor of Maryland who is considered to be on the rise lately) is in the endorsements.
Martin has the endorsement of nearly two dozen Democratic leaders in nine Southern states, including the party chairs of Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia, as well as the support of all Democratic Party delegations in eight states. like oregon and Arkansas.
In recent days, Wikler has earned endorsements from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and state Democratic Party chairs. Anderson Clayton of North Carolina and Laura Barnes of Michigan.
The next officially sanctioned DNC candidate forum will be held Thursday in Detroit, hosted by POLITICO.