By Isabella Torregiani
1:49pm PDT, Jun 9, 2025
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Democratic National Committee Chair
Ken Martin reportedly vented to fellow party members — including Vice Chairman
David Hogg — about the struggles he's faced since stepping into the role.
In a leaked conversation, Martin voiced his frustration with Hogg, saying the Parkland shooting survivor "destroyed any chance" he had to demonstrate his leadership abilities.
Keep reading to get more details on Martin's comments… MORE:
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DNC chair Ken Martin didn't hold back while reflecting on his first 100 days in office. In a Zoom meeting held on May 15, he questioned whether he should keep the job.
"No one knows who the hell I am, right?" he said. "I'm trying to get my sea legs underneath of me and actually develop any amount of credibility so I can go out there and raise the money and do the job I need to to put ourselves in a position to win."
Around 10 staff members — including DNC officers — were reportedly on the call.
Speaking directly to David Hogg, Martin made it clear why he was frustrated: "I don't think you intended this, but you essentially destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to. So it's really frustrating," he said.
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Ken Martin's remarks referenced David Hogg's recent pledge to spend $20 million in Democratic primaries in an effort to push out old guard members he deems ineffective.
Hogg's latest initiative has reportedly caused tension and fallout within the party, making it hard for Martin to fulfill his duties.
"Our job is to be neutral arbiters," Martin said in a separate leaked call from April. "We can't be both the referee and also the player at the same time."
According to reports, Martin had pressured Hogg to either sign a neutrality pledge or step down from his leadership position.
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Despite his latest comments, Ken Martin made it clear he isn't going anywhere.
"I took this job to fight Republicans, not Democrats," he said in a statement obtained by
Politico.
"As I said when I was elected, our fight is not within the Democratic Party, our fight is and has to be solely focused on Donald Trump and the disastrous Republican agenda."
"That's the work that I will continue to do every day," he added.
