Faiz Shakir, the mastermind behind Bernie Sanders’ successful 2020 presidential campaign, has thrown his hat into the ring for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). This unexpected move has injected a fresh dynamic into what was shaping up to be a rather uneventful race.
Confirming his candidacy in a text message to POLITICO, Shakir’s decision was first reported by the New York Times. In a letter addressed to DNC members, Shakir expressed his frustration with what he perceives as a lack of vision and conviction within the Democratic Party. He emphasized the urgent need to restore the party’s damaged brand and prioritize winning back America’s diverse working class.
Shakir criticized the status quo style of thinking that he believes has pervaded the DNC, calling for a more innovative and substantive approach to attract the support of working-class audiences. Despite entering the race late, Shakir is determined to challenge the frontrunners, Ben Wikler and Ken Martin, who have already secured high-profile endorsements and support from a significant number of DNC members.
While Shakir will not be participating in the upcoming DNC chair candidates’ forum in Michigan, he has outlined his platform in his letter to members. One of his key proposals is to transform the DNC into an “organizing army” with its own powerful media outlet that will produce compelling original content. This ambitious vision aims to harness the party’s resources and reach a broader audience through innovative communication strategies.
As the race for DNC chair heats up, Shakir’s entry promises to shake up the status quo and inject new energy into the contest. With two more forums scheduled for January, the candidates will have additional opportunities to present their ideas and engage with DNC members. Shakir’s bid represents a bold challenge to the existing leadership and signals his commitment to reshaping the Democratic Party for the future.
