Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin said Tuesday his bid for Democratic National Committee chair has received 200 endorsements from DNC members.
The number of endorsements for Martin are significant given there are roughly 450 voting DNC members, making Martin a front-runner.
“I’m honored to have gained the support of leaders from across the country,” Martin said in a statement. “Our campaign is gaining momentum and we’re going to continue to work hard for people’s votes.”
Martin has periodically released the names of people endorsing him on Twitter, though an entire list of his endorsements has not been released.
Last week, Martin received the endorsement of former DNC chair candidate and New York state Sen. James Skoufis after Skoufis dropped out of the race. Former vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz backed Martin earlier this month.
Other candidates have touted endorsements in the race. Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler has received a number of key endorsements in the race from figures like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (D). Meanwhile, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) has touted endorsements from more than 60 current and former mayors.
Wikler and O’Malley’s teams brushed off Martin’s announcement.
Wikler’s spokesperson noted the race “is wide open.”
“Ken Martin is releasing inflated whip counts because his momentum in this race has stalled and he is seeking to create a false sense of momentum,” the spokesperson said. “Our internal count has Ben within 30 votes of Ken, with a surge in support since last week’s union endorsements. Ken has fewer votes than the combined support for Ben and Martin O’Malley and lacks a clear path to the majority.”
In statement to The Hill, DNC chair candidate O’Malley’s spokesperson Chris Taylor said the race “isn’t about inflated and unsubstantiated numbers or tricks and gimmicks.:
“It’s about making the changes we need to win and rebuilding the Democratic Party for the future of our Republic. There is not a single soul running for any DNC office who believes Ken Martin’s count. It’s disrespectful to the 448 voting members of the DNC — many of whom are still making up their minds — and beneath the seriousness of this moment,” Taylor said.
Other candidates include former Department of Homeland Security official Nate Snyder, former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson and Massachusetts lawyer Jason Paul. Last week, Faiz Shakir, who was campaign manager for Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) 2020 presidential campaign, jumped into the race.
DNC members will vote on the committee’s next chair and other leadership positions on Feb. 1 a National Harbor, Md.
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