The Democratic National Committee is in complete chaos. Their allies are increasingly growing restless.
And the DNC just got backstabbed by the last people they were expecting.
Union Leaders Exit Democratic National Committee Amid Strategic Disputes
Two prominent union leaders, Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers and Lee Saunders of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, have severed ties with the Democratic National Committee (DNC), citing disagreements with Chairman Ken Martin over the party’s future path. Their departures signal growing tensions within the Democratic Party as it navigates internal challenges and prepares for upcoming elections.
Weingarten, a veteran leader who has headed the American Federation of Teachers since 2008 and previously led New York City’s teachers’ union, declined to continue as an at-large DNC member, a role she held since 2022. She also stepped away from her long-standing position on the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, where she had served since 2009.
In a pointed June 5 letter to Martin, she wrote, “While I am proud to be a Democrat, I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our communities.”
Saunders, similarly, opted out of his at-large DNC role, emphasizing the need for fresh approaches in a rapidly changing political landscape. In comments to the New York Times, which first reported the story, he said, “These are new times. They demand new strategies, new thinking and a renewed way of fighting for the values we hold dear. We must evolve to meet the urgency of this moment.”
He added, “This is not a time to close ranks or turn inward. The values we stand for, and the issues we fight for, benefit all working people. It is our responsibility to open the gates, welcome others in and build the future we all deserve together.” Saunders did not specify his precise concerns but noted that his decision “was not made lightly.”
The exits follow a turbulent period for the DNC, marked by the recent departure of controversial Vice Chair David Hogg. Hogg’s resignation came amid backlash over his plan to channel $20 million through his “Leaders We Deserve” group to challenge Democratic incumbents in safe districts—a move Martin opposed.
In a leaked April call, Martin emphasized the DNC’s role as a neutral body, stating, “Our job is to be neutral arbiters. We can’t be both the referee and also the player at the same time.”
Hogg’s exit was further complicated by a DNC decision to hold new elections for two vice chair positions due to a gender parity rule violation involving Hogg and fellow Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta.
Hogg chose not to run against Kenyatta, who secured the male vice chair role unopposed. The DNC is now voting on a gender-neutral vice chair position, with the process running through Tuesday.
Adding to the drama, leaked audio from May 15 revealed Martin’s frustration with the Hogg controversy, where he admitted, “The other night I said to myself for the first time, ‘I don’t know if I wanna do this anymore.’”
The shakeup continued as Martin restructured DNC committees, resulting in Weingarten’s removal from the Rules and Bylaws Committee. Both Weingarten and Saunders had supported Ben Wikler, the outgoing Wisconsin Democratic Party chairman, for the national DNC leadership role during its February elections.
Despite her departure, Weingarten reaffirmed her commitment to Democratic values and the American Federation of Teachers’ political engagement. In her letter, she promised that the AFT would “continue to be a leader in electing pro-public education, pro-working family candidates and will be especially engaged in the 2025-26 elections.”
She also expressed her belief in the party’s mission, writing, “I believe the Democratic Party has a vital role in America, the party in modern times that has fought relentlessly and repeatedly for all Americans to have justice, freedom and opportunity.”
As the DNC grapples with these high-profile exits and internal restructuring, the party faces mounting pressure to unify and adapt its strategy ahead of critical election cycles.
The departures of Weingarten and Saunders highlight a pivotal moment for the Democrats, as they desperately try to balance competing visions for their future.
Stay tuned to the Conservative Column.
