Minnesota DFL Chairman Ken Martin has just announced that he plans to run for chair of the Democratic National Committee.
The 51-year-old Martin has led the state party since 2011 and has served as vice chair of the national committee since 2017.
"Paul (Wellstone) told me you can be frustrated, you can be angry, but there's no institution that will soley change from the outside," Martin said on a video that was posted early Tuesday on social media. "You have to get involved and shape it, and reform it from the inside. That's why I'm running for chair of the Democratic National Committee."
Martin enters the race with 83 endorsements already, according to his campaign.
"Democrats need to figure out middle America," said WCCO political analyst Blois Olson. "He was born in Kansas, and he's been in Minnesota for a long time. He's got that middle America feel that they're probably looking for."
Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley announced his intentions to run for the position on Monday.
Another name that has circulated as a potential candidate is Ben Wikler, the chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
Jaime Harrison has been DNC national chair since 2021 and is not expected to seek another term.