Ken Martin's Commitment to Labor
For 14 years, Ken Martin has had the honor of leading Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party – the DFL – the only party of its kind in the country that unites working families by name. Ken knows unions are the backbone of the Democratic Party, and that when working people have the freedom to come together in strong unions, entire communities benefit, and our country benefits. This must continue to be at the very core of the Democratic Party’s values.
The Democratic Party needs to recommit to being the party of working people, and Ken is committed to making that happen. Despite the growing popularity of unions across America, there are those who seek to destroy unions and rig the system against working people.
Ken also understands that the Democratic identity needs to be fixed. For the first time in modern history, the majority of Americans now believe that Republicans represent the interests of the working class and poor, while Democrats represent the wealthy and elite. That is a damning indictment on our party and our brand. We must embrace the values of working families, and we need a message relevant and resonant with all working people. This will be a priority with Ken as DNC Chair.
Ken is deeply committed to Labor. His roots are in the union movement and he comes from a union family. As an organizer and card-carrying union member, Ken led an effort on behalf of the Building Trades to pass prevailing wage ordinances with local governments throughout Minnesota. He has walked picket lines with steelworkers, educators, service employees, nurses, and autoworkers.
When Ken took over a beleaguered DFL Party in Minnesota that was deep in debt and reeling from losses, he transformed its operation. He committed to year-round organizing and built a coordinated table where Labor became an integral partner with an active voice in planning and decision-making.
Under Ken’s leadership, Minnesota Democrats have gone 25-0 in statewide elections, kept the state blue in 2024 despite all bordering states going red, and built a party that has sustained success and been a model for organizing.
Because of this success in elections and the resulting pro-worker agenda, Minnesota has positioned itself at the forefront of the modern American Labor movement As the 10th-largest Labor state in the country, Minnesota has successfully beat back right-to-work attempts, banned captive audience meetings, outlawed unfair non-compete agreements, and in passing a signature list of legislative accomplishments such as paid family and sick leave and pension reform, is one of the few states that has seen growth in terms of union households.
Minnesota under Ken Martin is a model for how the DNC can build and sustain success across the country.
With Ken as DNC Chair…
Unions will be a full-time partner, not an ATM
Unions will always be integral partners, with a seat at a coordinated table, a voice in developing and executing our plans, and not simply called upon when something is needed. This philosophy has been central to Minnesota’s unprecedented success, and is what we need in our party’s national infrastructure. Under Ken’s leadership, Labor will never be taken for granted.
Democrats will be committed to 365-day, year-round organizing
We have to break the transactional model of organizing and center our organizing around building trust and relationships with communities before we can reasonably expect to have earned their votes. Ken will put in place year-round engagement and relationship building—centered on effective listening and shared values—in collaboration with community organizers already doing the work on the ground. This extends to communities where working families might no longer believe that Democrats stand for them.
Investing in modern communications
We can no longer rely on traditional, outdated, and low-reach information environments that lead us to put money, time, and effort into the wrong places. Voters want to be respected and heard, not lectured, and can spot inauthenticity from miles away. We must show up in non-traditional and even uncomfortable media spaces on a regular basis, increase outreach to local messengers and trusted validators, and create our own platforms for authentic engagement.
Our commitment to Labor will not end on Election Day
The next DNC must be brutally meticulous when it comes to fairness, transparency, and financial efficiency. We need to examine our spending with a fine-tooth comb and make sure we’re maximizing investments to grow the party. We need to ensure our governing committees better include the voices of state and local party leaders. And we need a rigorous, open, and effective primary process to battle-test our candidates to prepare them to win and govern.
Empowering young Americans
As Chair of the Minnesota DFL, Ken’s political model has led to one of the most effective and bold pro-worker and pro-family agendas in the nation. In his time leading the party, Democrats protected pensions, helped home care workers unionize, expanded access to affordable housing, lowered childcare costs, made historic investments in education, established paid family and sick leave, and more. As DNC Chair, Ken will bring together elected officials, unions, and coalition allies to actively partner in passing pro-worker policies that improve lives and show that we are standing against attacks on working people.
Learn More about Ken's Plan
A New DNC Framework: Build to Win, Build to Expand, Build to Last
