David Hogg, the 25-year-old activist who gained national attention for his role in the 2018 Parkland shooting survivors’ movement, has decided to step down from his position as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Hogg announced his decision on Tuesday, citing ongoing internal conflicts and a fundamental disagreement about the role of a vice chair within the party.
Earlier this year, Hogg and Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta were removed from their positions due to a procedural complaint during a virtual vote. This led to a significant rift within the DNC, with Hogg expressing his commitment to his organization, Leaders We Deserve, which he co-founded. Hogg plans to focus on the group’s mission to challenge ‘asleep-at-the-wheel’ Democrats by investing $20 million in safe-seat Democratic primaries.
The DNC has scheduled new elections for the two vice chair roles. Kenyatta, who is now running unopposed for the male vice chair position, and three other candidates, Shasti Conrad, Kalyn Free, and Jeanna Repass, are vying for the second vacancy. Hogg’s group has also endorsed Virginia state Del. Irene Shin in the special election for Virginia’s 11th District, which replaced the late Democratic Rep. Gerry Connelly.
The internal conflict within the DNC continued over the weekend when POLITICO obtained audio from a DNC meeting in which DNC Chair Ken Martin told Hogg and other leaders that his leadership has suffered due to the clash. Martin claimed that Hogg’s actions had ‘essentially destroyed any chance I have’ to show national leadership. Hogg has denied leaking the audio, but several DNC leaders supported Martin and accused Hogg or his supporters of sharing the conversation.
This development has sparked renewed questions about the future direction of the DNC and the effectiveness of its leadership. With Hogg stepping back, the party’s focus will now shift to the new elections for vice chair roles and the broader political landscape, including the special election in Virginia.