Hogg declines to run again for DNC vice chair after new election is called

David Hogg will not run again for his Democratic National Committee vice chairman position, he announced on Tuesday, amid a firestorm the 25-year-old activist sparked over his pledge to take on “ineffective” Democratic incumbents.

DNC members removed Hogg and Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta through a virtual vote on Wednesday night, stemming from a procedural complaint unrelated to Hogg’s primary activities.

In a statement, Hogg said “there is a fundamental disagreement about the role of a Vice Chair — and it’s okay to have disagreements.” But, Hogg continued, “what isn’t okay is allowing this to remain our focus when there is so much more we need to be focused on.”

Hogg said he would now focus his efforts on Leaders We Deserve, the group he co-founded, which said it would take on “asleep-at-the-wheel” Democrats by pledging to spend $20 million on safe-seat Democratic primaries. Hogg’s plan, announced in April, triggered a wave of anger from elected officials and DNC members, who argued that Hogg’s role as a party leader conflicted with the decision to take on incumbents.

DNC Chair Ken Martin, who clashed with Hogg, released a statement, “commend[ing] David for his years of activism, organizing, and fighting for his generation, and while I continue to believe he is a powerful voice for this party, I respect his decision to step back from his post as Vice Chair. I have no doubt that he will remain an important advocate for Democrats across the map. I appreciate his service as an officer, his hard work, and his dedication to the party.”

The DNC will hold new elections for the two vice chair roles beginning Thursday — the vote for the new male vice chair will take place from June 12 to June 14 and then vote for a second vice chair of any gender from June 15 to June 17. With Hogg declining to run, Kenyatta is now running unopposed for the male vice chair role.

Three other candidates for DNC vice chair — Shasti Conrad, Kalyn Free and Jeanna Repass — submitted candidate videos to compete for the second vacancy, according to one DNC member granted anonymity to describe private details.

Earlier this week, Hogg’s group endorsed Virginia state Del. Irene Shin in the special election for Virginia’s 11th District to replace Democratic Rep. Gerry Connelly, who died last month.

The internal drama within the DNC reignited again over the weekend, when POLITICO obtained audio from a DNC meeting in which Martin told Hogg and other DNC leaders that his leadership has suffered due to the clash. The vice chair, Martin said, had “essentially destroyed any chance I have” to show national leadership. Several of the DNC leaders who participated in the call expressed support for Martin and accused Hogg or his supporters of leaking it. Hogg, for his part, denied he shared it.