Ken Martin Will Be the DNC Chair as Democrats Attempt to Rebuild

Major Democratic leaders, like Schumer, Jeffries and Pelosi, endorsed Martin’s opponent in the race.

Ken Martin

Ken Martin won the race to be the next DNC chair on the first ballot. Rod Lamkey/AP

Ken Martin was elected to be the next chair of the Democratic National Committee on Saturday, becoming one of the party’s most forefront leaders in a moment of existential crisis.

His victory flies in the face of the endorsements of many high-profile Democrats, including party leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, who threw their weight behind Wisconsin state party Chair Ben Wikler.

Martin won over 246 votes out of 428 voting members after one round of voting. The vote was held at the DNC’s winter meeting, which took place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Maryland.