David Hogg faces possible ouster from DNC after re-election vote

David Hogg may lose his seat as a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee after the party voted to redo its February officer election, citing procedural concerns — and stoking deeper tensions over Hogg’s confrontational approach to party reform.

DNC members voted overwhelmingly this week to re-run the elections for two vice chair roles, including the one held by Hogg, a 25-year-old activist and rising progressive voice. The resolution passed with 75% of ballots cast in favor, following a complaint from party activist Kalyn Free alleging that the original election process violated DNC parliamentary rules and disadvantaged women of color candidates.

The re-election will be held June 12–17. Hogg is eligible to run again but could lose his position depending on the outcome.

Why the DNC is redoing the election

The backstory:

The complaint, submitted after the Feb. 1 officer vote, argued that the DNC’s tabulation method violated the party’s charter and failed to follow proper procedure. Last month, the DNC Credentials Committee agreed, voting to recommend a re-vote.

While DNC officials emphasized the decision was based on procedural fairness — not personalities — the re-election comes at a politically sensitive time for Hogg.

Tensions rise between Hogg and party leadership

Big picture view:

Hogg, who rose to national prominence as a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, has since become a forceful advocate for generational change in the Democratic Party. Through his PAC "Leaders We Deserve," he pledged to raise $20 million to primary challenge older Democrats in safe blue districts — a move that drew internal criticism.

Earlier this year, leaked audio from a private Zoom call revealed DNC Chair Ken Martin expressing frustration with Hogg’s efforts, telling him, "You essentially destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to."

DNC Chair, David Hogg feud on primary incumbent plans

DNC Chair Ken Martin and Vice Chair David Hogg, a Parkland shooting survivor, are sparring over Hogg's plan to primary "out-of-touch" incumbent Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections. Martin says that the young progressive must choose between being vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and his desire to unseat Democrats. The Washington Post's Patrick Svitek and LiveNOW's Andrew Craft discuss this back and forth, and what it means for the Democratic Party.

Following that conversation, Martin offered Hogg a choice: step down from his DNC role or stop organizing primary challenges through his PAC.

While Hogg declined to step down, he now faces an electoral threat to his position.

What they're saying:

Hogg has framed the re-vote as "an expedited plan to remove me as vice chair," adding that while the vote was "based on how the DNC conducted its officers’ elections, which I had nothing to do with, it is also impossible to ignore the broader context of my work to reform the party."

Kalyn Free, the party member who initiated the complaint, pushed back on that interpretation, telling Fox News Digital, "This was never about Malcolm Kenyatta or David Hogg. For me, this was about ensuring that the Democratic Party lives up to our ideals as the only political party to believe in and stand up for election integrity and a free and fair democracy."

Kenyatta, who received the most votes in the February election and also holds a vice chair role, criticized the idea that the story should center on Hogg at all.

"Any story about this that neatly places this into a narrative about David Hogg is wrong," Kenyatta said. "I worked my a– off to get this role and have done the job every day since I’ve held it… Even though he clearly wants it to be [about him]."

What's next:

The DNC’s new vote will include only those candidates who were eligible for the third ballot in February: Hogg, Kenyatta, Kalyn Free, Jeanna Repass, and Shasti Conrad.

According to DNC rules, one vice chair position must be held by a male, while the other can be held by a candidate of any gender. Voting will begin June 12.