Two prominent labor union leaders, Randi Weingarten and Lee Saunders, have resigned from the Democratic National Committee (DNC), marking a significant escalation in the party’s internal conflicts. The departures come as the party continues to wrestle with a lack of unity and a clear direction following its loss in the 2024 presidential and congressional elections. Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, have cited concerns over the party leadership’s approach, particularly under DNC chair Ken Martin, in their resignation letters.
The resignations are part of a larger pattern of infighting that has intensified since the 2024 elections. This includes the ongoing fallout from David Hogg, the former vice chair of the DNC, whose controversial $20 million plan to challenge older, more establishment Democrats in primary races sparked significant internal division. Martin, who has been at the center of these disputes, faced criticism last week for a leaked meeting with Hogg, in which he lamented the impact of the fallout on his ability to lead the party. The situation has further complicated Martin’s tenure as chair, which has already been marked by significant challenges in maintaining party unity.
Weingarten and Saunders, both longstanding voices in Democratic politics, have aligned themselves with Martin’s rival in the 2024 DNC chair race, Ben Wikler. Martin’s decision to exclude Weingarten from the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, which oversees the drafting of the party’s presidential nominating process, has been cited as a key factor in their decision to resign. The union leaders have expressed confidence that the party can eventually come together to focus on defeating the Republican Party, particularly in the context of the looming 2026 midterm elections.
Other key figures within the DNC have also weighed in on the resignations. DNC Labor Council Chair Stuart Applebaum has defended Martin, emphasizing that the chair understands the crucial role of labor unions in the party’s success and that his leadership is aligned with the needs of working families. Meanwhile, a former DNC official who supported Wikler has suggested that the resignations were not unexpected, given the union leaders’ backing for the former chair’s rival in the DNC leadership race.
As the party continues to navigate these internal challenges, the resignations of Weingarten and Saunders represent another blow to Martin’s leadership. With significant strategic and organizational tensions still lingering, the DNC is under pressure to address these divisions and refocus on its broader political goals, particularly in the wake of its recent electoral setbacks.