Two prominent union presidents have resigned from the Democratic National Committee (DNC), intensifying an internal party struggle that began with former vice chair David Hogg's controversial plans to challenge incumbent Democrats.
According to Fox News, Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, declined offers to remain as at-large DNC members.
In a letter to DNC Chair Ken Martin that has been circulating on social media, Weingarten wrote, "I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our communities."
The departures represent another significant challenge for Martin, who just last week resolved issues with Hogg after the progressive activist announced he would not seek re-election as vice chair.
An anonymous former DNC official offered a scathing assessment of Martin's leadership, telling Fox News Digital, "There is a huge vacuum of leadership in the Democratic Party and Ken is proving to be a weak, ineffective leader who isn't ready for any of this."
Both Weingarten and Saunders had supported Martin's opponent, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, in the race for DNC chair. After winning, Martin removed Weingarten from the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee, which oversees the party's presidential nominating process.
The union leaders' exit follows weeks of internal strife triggered by Hogg's $20 million plan to primary older incumbent Democrats he described as "asleep at the wheel" through his political action group, Leaders We Deserve.
Weingarten had supported Hogg's controversial primary strategy, placing her at odds with Martin's leadership vision for the party. This disagreement likely contributed to her decision to step down from the committee.
A leaked audio recording obtained by Politico captured Martin's frustration with Hogg, saying the controversy had "destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to. So, it's really frustrating."
Despite the apparent turmoil, some Democratic officials attempted to minimize the significance of the union leaders' departure from the committee.
An anonymous DNC committee member told Fox News Digital it was "not surprising" that Weingarten and Saunders stepped down since "they both supported another candidate" for chair. The same source expressed confidence that party members would "come together and focus and continue beating Republicans."
Another source close to the DNC noted, "Ever since the horse she bet on in the Chairs race lost, she has always been on the other side of the fence as Ken — this is no surprise."
The resignations of Weingarten and Saunders mark the latest episode in ongoing Democratic Party infighting following their losses in the 2024 elections, when they lost both the White House and Congress. DNC Labor Council Chair Stuart Applebaum defended Martin in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying the chair "understands that workers are the backbone of the Democratic Party, and his vision for winning back working families is exactly how our party needs to move forward."
Martin previously issued an ultimatum to Hogg to either resign his vice chair position or abandon his political influence through his PAC. Though Hogg chose to step down, he still defied advice by endorsing Virginia state Del. Irene Shin in the special election to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly.
Following Hogg's announcement that he wouldn't seek re-election, Martin publicly thanked him for "his years of activism, organizing, and fighting for his generation" in what appeared to be an attempt to move past the controversy.
