David Hogg, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), told Newsweek he plans to keep fighting for the Democratic Party, even if he’s ousted from his position.
“Obviously I would prefer that I not be removed; however, in the case that I am, I’m still going to fight to build the strongest Democratic Party possible,” he said in a Thursday interview.
Why It Matters
Hogg, 25, who was elected to one of five DNC vice chair positions in February, has sparked backlash in recent weeks, after announcing that his political action committee (PAC), Leaders We Deserve, would invest some $20 million to support primary challengers against incumbent Democrats in safely blue districts.
In response, DNC Chair Ken Martin has floated rule changes that could force Hogg out of his position if he pursues his plan. Martin told reporters last week that Hogg “can’t be both the referee and also the player at the same time.”
The Democratic Party’s approval among voters has hit a historic low, with many rank and file clamoring for change.
What To Know
Despite the pushback, Hogg remains undeterred in his effort to push for change within the party.
“The party has been around for over 170 years, and it has evolved a lot, obviously, since its beginning. And I think what the moment calls for is making sure that we have the strongest people possible to fight in our party,” he told Newsweek.
The DNC official nodded to the efforts of progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, and Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, to push back against the administration of President Donald Trump and Republicans.
“We are seeing great people step up, like Senator Van Hollen, that are showing they’re not just sitting on their hands, Hogg said.
Van Hollen last month traveled to El Salvador to meet directly with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported Maryland resident who has drawn significant national attention after the Trump administration admitted he was sent to El Salvador due to an “administrative error.” The issue has been playing out in the courts, with the Supreme Court ruling unanimously last month that the Trump administration must “facilitate” his return to the U.S.
Continuing, Hogg said pushing back looks “like AOC, for example, going around the country to rally tens of thousands of people, and showing them that they aren’t alone—that there are people here to fight for the future of our country, for the future of the party.”
The Democratic activist rose to national prominence after surviving the 2018 deadly mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, becoming an advocate for gun reform. He referenced the issue of gun violence as he emphasized how he thinks Democrats need to be addressing voters’ concerns in these moments.
“What are we doing to make it so that young people are able to survive their math class and parents don’t have to fear that their child may not come home alive? What are we doing to ensure that when that child graduates from college, that they don’t graduate with a lifetime of debt? And they’re able to get a good paying job and afford a home in a safe community without gun violence?” he asked.
Earlier this week, Hogg clashed with longtime Democratic strategist James Carville, 80, on an episode of Tara Palmeri’s Somebody’s Gotta Win podcast. Before the podcast, Carville had said the DNC should “sue” Hogg, and during their discussion he described Hogg’s actions as “abominable” and “jackassery.”
However, after the podcast dropped, Carville posted to X, formerly Twitter, saying he’d spoken with Hogg by phone, saying he believes the DNC still “needs him.”
“David Hogg fights,” Carville wrote.
Asked about the clash with Carville and their apparent reconciliation, Hogg said there’s a need to build “an intergenerational coalition.”
“I wouldn’t say that I agree with everything that he’s ever said by any means, but ultimately we have to get back to focusing on what matters here, which is building the strongest Democratic Party possible in order to fight back against [Republicans],” he said.
“I think James is a fighter, and I think that he respects that I’m a fighter too.”
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Fast Company
What People Are Saying
Carville, via X on Wednesday: “Just called @DavidHogg111. He reminded me of the story of, after the battle of Shiloh, Henry Halleck urged President Lincoln to fire Ulysses Grant. Lincoln said: ‘I can’t fire him. This man fights.’ David Hogg fights. The DNC needs him.”
Martin, in a media call last month: “Let me be unequivocal: No DNC officer should ever attempt to influence the outcome of a primary election, whether on behalf of an incumbent or a challenger. Voters should decide who our primary nominees are, not DNC leadership. Our role is to serve as stewards of a fair, open and trusted process, not to tilt the scales.”
Stefanie Feldman, ex-adviser to former President Joe Biden, via X on Thursday: “We can’t build a big tent party without @davidhogg111.”
Jessica Tarlov, Democratic strategist and Fox News contributor, last month on The Five: “As for Ken Martin, it is good to see him kind of putting the smackdown on what is going on with David Hogg. He says, ‘You are more than welcome to spend money on races, you just can’t be part of the DNC and do that.’ A lot of people wanted that vice chair job that David Hogg got, and it will be interesting to see what he chooses to do. To be part of the party infrastructure or go out on his own.”
Hogg, to Newsweek on Thursday: “We are spending money in primaries and safe Democratic seats to ensure that we have the best Democratic representation possible. However, we are also spending money in competitive seats in front-line districts. … The problem that our party has is not monetary. We had $2 billion last election cycle, and we still lost …”
What Happens Next
Martin has proposed DNC rule changes that would mandate that party officers remain neutral in primary elections. If the rules are changed, Hogg could be forced to either step down from his PAC or resign from his DNC position.
