David Hogg to exit Democratic National Committee after months of turmoil

David Hogg, the young vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee whose vow to unseat “asleep-at-the-wheel” Democrats roiled his party, said on Wednesday that he would step away from his role.

On Wednesday, the committee announced that its members had voted to hold new vice-chair elections that could have led to his ouster.

“I came into this role to play a positive role in creating the change our party needs,” Hogg said in a statement, announcing that he was bowing out of the race to focus on his work with Leaders We Deserve, his outside political organization. “It is clear that there is a fundamental disagreement about the role of a Vice Chair – and it’s okay to have disagreements. What isn’t okay is allowing this to remain our focus when there is so much more we need to be focused on.”

He continued: “Ultimately, I have decided to not run in this upcoming election so the party can focus on what really matters.”

The move ends months of internal turmoil over the 25-year-old Parkland survivor’s controversial plans to support primaries against incumbent House Democrats. DNC chair Ken Martin had argued that party leadership should remain neutral in the contests.

In a statement, Martin called Hogg a “powerful voice for this party,” writing: “I respect his decision to step back from his post as Vice Chair. I have no doubt that he will remain an important advocate for Democrats across the map. I appreciate his service as an officer, his hard work, and his dedication to the party.”

Hogg’s decision means that Pennsylvania state lawmaker Malcolm Kenyatta is the only candidate eligible for the male vice-chair role. A second ballot will open later this week for the second vice-chair position, which can be a candidate of any gender.