Debbie Cox Bultan: Four Ways The DNC Chair Can Rebuild The Democratic Party from the Ground Up

By Debbie Cox Bultan

Now that the Democratic National Committee has elected Ken Martin as its next chair, it’s time to usher in a new era of leadership charged with developing and executing a true 50-state strategy while standing up to the destructive and dangerous moves of a second Trump Administration.

Since the election, I’ve spoken with dozens of state and local leaders, and based on those conversations, here’s what I think the DNC chair must do to help our party win back everyday Americans.

Re(build) the Brand. Nationally, Democrats lost ground with voters in nearly every state and demographic. Many voters saw Democrats as out of touch, elitist, and disconnected from the struggles of everyday people.  

The DNC chair must prioritize building a broad coalition of voters. The Party should not enforce litmus tests or let issue-area interest groups dictate policy positions; instead, it should welcome those who don’t “check the box” on every issue, creating space for disagreement while focusing on shared goals like economic opportunity, affordable healthcare, and quality education. Building the base also means investing in outreach to communities where Democrats have lost ground, such as rural and working-class communities of every background to make sure they know we are listening to them even, and maybe especially when it isn’t campaign season.  

Focus on kitchen table issues. While the Party must be focused on outreach to key constituencies, that doesn’t mean the same message can’t apply to everyone. The ripple effects of a post-pandemic economy – like rising costs and inflation – meant that many Americans across all communities voted with their pocketbooks last November.  To regain voters’ trust, the DNC chair must prioritize the economic concerns that impact Americans’ daily lives and high Democrats’ efforts to advance a bold policy agenda centered on boosting wages, creating jobs, and increasing access to affordable housing.

Leaders who made these bread-and-butter issues the focus of their campaigns—like Kristen McDonald Rivet in Michigan and Janelle Bynum in Oregon—won crucial House seats and dramatically outperformed the top of the ticket in tough swing districts. By focusing on economic opportunity, job creation, and affordability, and not being defined as culture warriors who only care about certain groups of Americans, these candidates were able to cut through the partisan noise and outperform national trends. The next chair should speak with leaders like these and use their insights as a roadmap for future success. 

Be an effective messenger. In an era where most Americans get their information from podcasts, content creators, and social media, the Democratic Party must meet people where they are. The DNC chair must ensure the Party connects with voters on a personal level and uplifts Democratic values.

Rising stars like Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow have become some of the Party’s most effective communicators by creating viral moments that resonate and break through. The DNC Chair must be an effective spokesperson and build a party apparatus that doesn’t just rely on traditional media but reaches voters where they get their news and information.

Invest in party infrastructure. The Democratic Party cannot afford to ignore any state, district, or community. A 50-state strategy is essential to rebuilding the Party’s competitiveness everywhere and fostering a pipeline of talent that will pay dividends in the years to come. The DNC chair must prioritize allocating funds to state and local party organizations, ensuring they have the resources to recruit candidates, build coalitions, and run competitive campaigns.

I regularly speak with leaders from red states and communities who are finding ways to connect effectively with constituents who traditionally vote Republican. We may not be able to win federal races in all of these areas, but winning at all levels of government matters. We must expand the map of where Democrats can be competitive beyond the current swing states. This ground-up approach means empowering local leaders who serve as trusted community messengers. Mayors, state legislators, county executives, and other local officials are on the front lines addressing the everyday issues that matter most to voters. 

While the road before us is long, now is the moment to overhaul the Party’s message, connect with a broader coalition of Americans, and build a cohesive vision for the Democratic brand that makes us competitive for 2026 and beyond. 

Debbie Cox Bultan is the CEO of NewDEAL, a selective national network of rising state and local democrats.