PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is set to introduce new rules that require members to stay neutral in primaries, potentially impacting co-vice chair David Hogg’s role.
👥 Who’s Involved: David Hogg, DNC co-vice chair; Ken Martin, DNC Chair; James Carville, Democratic strategist.
📍 Where & When: Announcement expected from DNC on Thursday; rules implementation scheduled for August.
💬 Key Quote: David Hogg highlighted, “Currently, if we had the same number of 25- to 30-year-olds in Congress as we do proportionally to the population, we would have over 40 people under the age of 30 in Congress, and I don’t know if you’ve looked at Congress recently, we have one that is under the age of 30. That is not good for the future of the Democratic Party.”
⚠️ Impact: Potential curtailment of Hogg’s political activities within the DNC and impact on his group’s financial endeavors aimed at primary campaigns targeting incumbent Democrats.
IN FULL:
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is set to enact rules that would require members, including current co-vice chair David Hogg, to remain neutral during primary elections. DNC Chair Ken Martin is expected to announce the changes during a call with party leaders scheduled for Thursday. If approved, these rules would be implemented in August.
This policy change emerges after David Hogg, an ardent anti-gun rights activist, declared plans to allocate $20 million towards Democratic primary campaigns nationwide via his organization, Leaders We Deserve. The group’s objective is to promote younger, more diverse candidates to align with shifting demographics and push the Democratic Party in a more leftward and “progressive” direction.
Hogg’s dual role as a DNC co-vice chair and his active participation in primary challenges have drawn scrutiny from some within the Democratic Party. The National Pulse previously reported that Clinton White House strategist James Carville blasted Hogg over his plan to primary incumbent Democrats, calling the activist a “contemptible little twerp” and suggesting the DNC sue over a breach of duty.
In response, Hogg defended his actions, asserting the need for a strategy that addresses generational representation in Congress. “Currently, if we had the same number of 25- to 30-year-olds in Congress as we do proportionally to the population, we would have over 40 people under the age of 30 in Congress, and I don’t know if you’ve looked at Congress recently, we have one that is under the age of 30,” Hogg said, adding: “That is not good for the future of the Democratic Party.”
The proposed DNC rules could compel Hogg to choose between his leadership role within the party and his primary-focused initiatives. Additionally, the move risks alienation of younger Democrats who may see Hogg’s primary operation as a political positive for the party.