WASHINGTON — David Hogg, a gun violence prevention advocate and co-founder of Leaders We Deserve, called for "radical change" within the Democratic Party — and put a name on it: DNC Chairman Ken Martin.
Hogg, a former co-vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, accused the party establishment of failing to connect with voters on the economy, the current presidency and the conflict in Gaza. Democrats lose voters, he said, when they tell people "not to believe what they're seeing or what they're feeling."
In a televised interview, Hogg accused the DNC establishment of offering voters "basically a different shade of lipstick that they're putting on the pig." Voters are "sick and tired of that" and "want fighters" instead of the same "milquetoast message," he said.
Hogg demanded Martin be held to a higher standard. "We should hold our share of the lead opposition party to Donald Trump to a standard at least as high as we would hold a middle schooler," he said, pressing for "new leadership" atop the party.
Martin has avoided major media appearances for several months. The DNC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In a Substack post last month, Martin said Democrats were ready to win the November elections and claimed to be leading the "strongest out-of-power fundraising performance in DNC history."
Federal filings from late June contradict that claim. The DNC reported $16.4 million in cash but more than $18 million in debt — a $2 million deficit.
That stands in sharp contrast to the Republican National Committee, which reported more than $128 million in cash and no debt during the same period.
Other Democratic operatives have also urged Martin's resignation, citing his leadership style, poor fundraising and the handling of a delayed and incomplete autopsy report on the 2024 election.
Party leaders have blamed progressives, including Democratic Socialists, for dividing the party and hampering fundraising. Hogg pointed elsewhere — to special interests and corporations.
Hogg said he has no interest in leading the party himself, despite calls from political consultant James Carville to do so. His current work outside the DNC, he said, is "far more impactful."
Securing major wins, Hogg said, requires "embracing new ideas, bringing in new people." The party has shown no indication it plans to replace Martin before November.
