Democrats find themselves in a state of disarray more than a month following significant defeats to President-elect Donald Trump and his Republican counterparts. The party, lacking clear leadership, approaches Inauguration Day facing the reality of losing control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.
“We have no idea what’s going to happen next,” stated Donna Brazile, a seasoned Democratic political strategist and former interim chairwoman, in an interview with USA TODAY. “This situation has not been addressed in our strategy.”
Currently, Democrats lack a unified, overarching strategy that has been collectively agreed upon. Currently, they are receiving significant praise from prominent figures such as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Both leaders urged party supporters to maintain a positive outlook during a recent Democratic National Committee event aimed at donors.
“My dad would say, when you get knocked down, you’ve just got to get up, get up,” stated Biden, who withdrew from the 2024 race this summer, primarily due to the influence of major donors. “The true test of an individual or a political party lies in their ability to recover swiftly.”
“Our spirit is not defeated,” stated Harris, who took over her party’s presidential nomination from Biden and subsequently lost all seven swing states this fall.
The opposition party faces several challenges and opportunities as it looks toward 2025.
The race for the DNC chair has officially commenced a reboot.
One of the initial significant responsibilities will involve selecting a successor for outgoing Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, who indicated his intention to step down prior to the results of the presidential election.
The absence of a president, House speaker, or Senate majority leader in the Democratic Party’s leadership ranks positions the chair as a pivotal figure. This individual will take on the role of chief messenger for the party, a responsibility that will extend for at least the next two years as the party prepares for the 2026 mid-term election. The position demands an individual skilled in candidate recruitment, adept at field organizing, and capable of generating millions in campaign funding.
The upcoming chair race, scheduled for February 1 during the DNC’s winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, is poised to be a significant event. It will serve as one of the initial proxy battles for Democrats to confront the outcomes of the 2024 election while exploring strategies for the future, as various factions compete for their favored candidate.
The candidate pool has already begun to take shape, featuring approximately six individuals. Among them are Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party; Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party; former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley; and New York state Senator James Skoufis.
Martin, viewed as a leading candidate by numerous observers following his acquisition of endorsements from over 100 of the 448 DNC members responsible for electing the next chair through a majority vote, stated that a significant takeaway from this year was the Republicans’ success in messaging through unconventional media channels.
In a post on X dated December 17, Martin emphasized the need for improvement in engaging voters who do not consume television news. “It is essential to disseminate our message across various platforms, including social media, podcasts, influencers, and beyond.”
There will be no autopsy conducted by the DNC; however, there are increasing calls for an audit.
Some Democrats are advocating for an in-depth analysis to understand the missteps that led to their challenges in the 2024 election, drawing parallels to the comprehensive review conducted by Republicans following their defeat in the 2012 presidential race, which was won by Barack Obama.
Allied organizations, including Way to Win, a progressive strategy think tank and donor network, have started to publish initial exit polling data and have committed to a thorough analysis in the coming weeks.
In a recent memo following the election, the leaders of the firm contend that increasing costs, along with a worldwide backlash against incumbent politicians, influenced the voters addressed by Trump, rather than indicating a shift in ideological alignment. The report highlights that the “original sin of the cycle” was the Democratic Party’s inability to convey a “vivid, strong story” explaining why conditions still felt dire, despite improvements in the economy.
The memo states that this involved offering voters, “a clear villain to hold accountable for their continuing pain.”
“History has shown that some leaders will review our analysis and may hold differing opinions,” stated Tory Gavito, founder of Way to Win. Rather than participating in constructive discussions aimed at forming new partnerships, they will choose to separate and develop independently. Now is not the moment to permit divisions to emerge within the anti-MAGA coalition.
Concerns have emerged among some Democrats regarding the spending strategies of Harris’ 2024 campaign. They are calling for a thorough audit to examine the decision to allocate millions towards high-profile rallies with celebrities, as opposed to investing in more grassroots outreach initiatives.
However, there are instances when parties forgo these public examinations, which frequently escalate into heated accusations. For example, the DNC did not conduct a review following Hillary Clinton’s loss in 2016, and similarly, the GOP did not undertake an evaluation after Trump’s defeat in 2020.
Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative from California and a progressive voice on Capitol Hill, has expressed his views regarding the necessity of a formal autopsy. He believes such an effort would be futile and advocates for a more introspective discussion on the methods by which Democrats connect with voters.
“Our party must champion free speech and foster an environment where we engage in every forum, welcoming diverse ideas. We will not judge individuals for their disagreements or for potentially using the wrong words,” he stated.
Harris in the spotlight: Is she eyeing the governor’s seat in California or preparing for another bid for the White House?
Democrats are closely watching the next steps for Harris following her receipt of the party’s nomination, as the 2024 presidential race enters its final three months.
The 60-year-old vice president has maintained a notably subdued presence following his defeat to Trump in November. In a concise speech delivered last Tuesday, she urged her supporters, stating, “we must stay in the fight,” and emphasized that “no one can walk away” from the ongoing battles ahead.
Harris’ comments may hint at a potential third presidential campaign or a possible bid for the governorship of California in 2026. The location is attractive for Harris, particularly given that incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited. Additionally, her track record includes two statewide victories as attorney general in 2010 and 2014, along with a successful bid for the U.S. Senate in 2016.
Running for the position of chief executive in the nation’s most populated state presents challenges for Harris, particularly if she intends to pivot to a presidential campaign two years later. This scenario mirrors the actions of another vice president who faced a setback in his pursuit of the presidency: Richard Nixon. Following a narrow defeat in the 1960 presidential election against John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon shifted his focus to a gubernatorial campaign in California. He faced defeat in the 1962 election, but went on to secure victory in the 1968 presidential race.
Regardless of the path she chooses, Harris’ decision stands to be one of the initial significant actions impacting both her own future and that of her party.
Los Angeles Times political columnist George Skelton reported earlier this week that she could not perceive it as simply a consolation prize following her defeat in the presidential election to Donald Trump. She was unable to see it as a pathway leading back to the White House. California voters may perceive those sentiments and potentially choose not to elect her.
Resistance or cooperation: Analyzing the Democratic response to Trump 2.0
The question on many minds is how Democrats will react to Trump’s return.
Some, particularly progressive House Democrats and big city mayors, are expected to instinctively oppose the incoming administration of the former and future president, particularly regarding its mass deportation plan targeting undocumented immigrants.
Last week, House Democrats united on Capitol Hill to oppose a bill endorsed by Trump that aimed to fund the government for the initial months of his administration. The rejection came after Trump attempted to add a last-minute provision to increase the government’s borrowing limit until after the 2026 mid-term elections. The final spending deal that was approved by Congress did not incorporate the provisions that Trump sought. Numerous members of the party have expressed their dissent regarding the president-elect’s impending return to the White House, as evidenced by their decision to boycott the forthcoming inauguration.
Other Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts, have indicated a readiness to negotiate with Trump, beginning with certain policy priorities he has put forward. The former Democratic 2020 presidential candidate expressed support for Elon Musk, co-chairing the new Department of Government Efficiency, stating that if Musk aims to reduce wasteful Pentagon spending, he is fully on board.
A generational conflict is on the horizon as Democrats prepare for the 2026 elections and the future beyond.
The age of President Biden was a significant topic throughout the recent election cycle. Many Democrats expressed concerns that an octogenarian incumbent might not be the most effective choice to engage younger voters and guide the nation through an unpredictable future.
Democrats are poised with a strong lineup of Gen-X and millennial candidates ready to take over from the current leadership in upcoming elections.
This week in the House, a significant post-election confrontation unfolded as 35-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., took on 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-V.A., in a bid to become the ranking Democrat on the influential Oversight Committee.
House Democrats have turned down her proposal, facing backlash from younger progressives on social media who highlighted its reiteration of the age-related concerns for the upcoming 2024 election.
“I did my utmost,” Oscasio-Cortez stated on the social media platform Bluesky. “Apologies for not being able to deliver this time, everyone — we will have another opportunity to continue the battle.”
In the wake of recent challenges, a significant generational transition may be approaching for the Democratic Party. Upcoming competitive Senate and gubernatorial races in key swing states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan could provide an opportunity for younger leaders to emerge.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 42, recently expressed to USA TODAY that he is “ready to catch (his) breath.” The former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate is now being discussed as a potential contender for the position of Michigan governor. In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore, 46, has generated significant buzz among observers. Notably, sports writer Jemele Hill remarked earlier this year, “if there were Vegas odds on a future president, I’d put it on him.” He possesses the necessary qualities.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, age 47, has been selected to serve as the chief fundraiser and recruiter for the party’s governors in the upcoming 2026 elections. Among the prominent Democrats seeking a new leader are outgoing Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, 53, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, 51, who was overlooked in the Harris 2024 vice presidential considerations, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, 57, frequently cited as a potential national Democratic successor.
The Democrats are actively seeking new leadership, coinciding with indications that Republicans may also be preparing to transition to a younger generation following Trump’s completion of his second term in January 2029. Vice President-elect JD Vance is currently 40 years old, whereas Donald Trump, Jr., who has been suggested by his father as a potential successor, is 46 years old.
“We aim to rewrite every script and move away from the old ones,” stated Brazille, the former DNC chair. “However, this perspective relies on imagination rather than merely reflecting on past events.”
