The National Democratic Party is heading into the midterm elections in debt, and the actions of its top leader being questioned.
A recent report from the New York Times paints an unflattering portrait of former Minnesota DFL party chair Ken Martin's leadership of the national party, with instances of Martin allegedly throwing a phone in the direction of a junior staffer during a heated exchange, struggles with asking major donors to pony up more cash to pump up finances, and worries he has about keeping his job.
Brian Melendez served as DFL chair from 2004 to 2010, before Martin took the role in 2011. Melendez said that donors likely don’t trust Martin at the moment.
“I think that damage has already been done and can't be undone. But there could be some more cash flow loosened up if it looks like the Democrats are going to sweep in a blue wave in November,” he told MPR News.
Melendez said he hasn’t seen calls for resignation within the committee but believes Martin is losing support quickly.
“He's in a bunker right now. I think he is he has gotten very paranoid,” he said about Martin. “Ken needs to get out there and and explain his position, defend himself, and show some confidence. And that's not happening.”
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