Chuck Schumer marked his final day as Senate Majority Leader by endorsing Ben Wikler to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee
“Ben possesses all the qualities Democrats across the country are looking for in our next DNC Chair,” Schumer boasted on Thursday. “He’s a tenacious organizer and one of the best organizers in the country. A proven fundraiser, a sharp communicator, and able to reach out to all segments of the Democratic Party. Most importantly, he knows how to win.”
However, Schumer’s endorsement positions a leader with a history of demonizing Israel. In June 2023, Wikler presided over the Wisconsin Democratic Party’s biannual convention where members passed a resolution demanding an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. Notably, the resolution deliberately excluded any reference to Hamas’s October 7 massacre attack that initiated the current conflict.
According to Jewish Insider, Wikler’s anti-Israel policy took shape while working at the liberal MoveOn lobbying organization. There, he emerged as a vocal supporter of the disastrous 2015 nuclear deal with Iran while pushing back against AIPAC’s influence. His ties to J Street, which takes a more progressive approach to Israel advocacy, have long placed him at odds with supporters of Israel’s defensive policies.
His endorsement comes as Democrats grapple with one of their worst electoral defeats in recent years, having lost the Presidency and both chambers of Congress. The new Congress will begin today with Republicans holding a narrow 220-215 majority in the House and a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Despite the defeat, Schumer was unanimously re-elected by his peers to serve as minority leader.
On Monday, final certification of the 2024 election will take place with Vice President Kamala Harris presiding over a joint congressional session to validate the results.
