Ben Wikler, the current chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, has officially announced his candidacy for chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). With his track record of success in Wisconsin, Wikler is positioning himself as a leader who can help revitalize the national party.
Wikler’s Proven Success in Wisconsin
In a campaign launch video, Wikler emphasized his role in transforming the Wisconsin Democratic Party into a powerhouse of organizing and fundraising. His leadership has been credited with significant victories in Wisconsin, a key battleground state. Notably, he helped secure the reelection of Democratic Governor Tony Evers in 2022 by a wider margin than the previous election and reduced Republican dominance in the state legislature. Under his direction, Democrats flipped 14 Republican-held legislative seats, which was a pivotal moment in the state’s political landscape.
But perhaps the most consequential achievement of Wikler’s tenure has been his work on the state Supreme Court. With his support, Wisconsin Democrats successfully elected a new liberal majority to the court, which ultimately led to the dismantling of gerrymandered voting maps that had heavily favored Republicans. These victories, Wikler argues, demonstrate a winning strategy that could be replicated at the national level.
A Vision for National Leadership
Wikler’s announcement comes at a time when the national Democratic Party is grappling with its position after a difficult 2024 election. Despite efforts to win back the White House and secure control of Congress, the party faced setbacks. Wikler sees this as an opportunity for change and renewal. In his video, he underscored the importance of strategic, grassroots organizing to win in tough, divided states.
“We can’t just focus on the coasts and the cities,” Wikler said. “We need to build a big tent, engage voters in every state, and ensure we have a presence in both red and blue areas. It’s about building a strategy that works everywhere, not just in the places that are already blue.”
In particular, Wikler highlighted his efforts in Wisconsin, where the state shifted much less toward Trump in 2024 than many other battleground states. While the nation as a whole shifted 6% toward the Republican candidate, Wisconsin only shifted by 1.5%, the smallest change in any major swing state. Wikler believes this is a testament to his approach, which focuses on outreach and organizing across different demographics and regions.
Key Achievements Under Wikler’s Leadership:
- Reelected Governor Tony Evers in 2022 with a wider margin than his first term.
- Flipped 14 Republican-held state legislative seats.
- Helped elect a new liberal majority to the state Supreme Court, which led to the end of gerrymandered voting maps.
- Raised over $53 million in the last election cycle, more than any other state Democratic Party.
Focus on Fundraising and Grassroots Organizing
Wikler’s success is also attributed to his ability to fundraise and energize the Democratic base. In the 2024 election cycle, he helped raise over $53 million, a figure that topped all other state parties. His efforts have also focused on building a strong ground game by opening new field offices across Wisconsin, making sure that Democrats have a presence in urban, suburban, and rural areas alike.
In his bid for national chair, Wikler intends to build on these efforts and “supercharge” the Democratic Party’s organizing and outreach across the country. He echoes former DNC Chair Howard Dean’s vision for a “50-state strategy,” which involves reaching voters in every corner of the nation, regardless of their political leanings.
“We need to show up everywhere, on every platform,” Wikler said. “It’s about reaching the people who may be hearing about us from Republicans and showing them what we stand for.”
Key Campaign Focus:
- Expand the Democratic Party’s reach to rural, urban, red, and blue areas alike.
- Emphasize a 50-state strategy to engage voters across the nation.
- Build on successful fundraising and grassroots organizing efforts.
Looking Ahead to National Leadership
As Wikler prepares to take on the challenge of leading the Democratic National Committee, his message is clear: it’s time for the national party to adopt a strategy that mirrors his success in Wisconsin. With his extensive experience organizing in a competitive state, Wikler is positioning himself as the right leader to unite and energize the national party.
Democrats face the challenge of finding new leadership following the 2024 election, and Wikler’s candidacy offers a new direction for the party. If elected, Wikler’s goal will be to transform the national Democratic Party into a stronger, more competitive force—one that can take on Republicans in every state, from coast to coast.
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