Politics

Former Bernie Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir enters DNC Chair race

Published

2 years ago

January 15, 2025

Faiz Shakir, who led Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, is jumping into the race for chair of the Democratic National Committee — injecting a new candidate into the low-key contest.

Shakir confirmed his candidacy in a text message to Blue Light News. The New York Times first reported Shakir’s decision.

Shakir’s late entrance into the race could shake up a contest that has largely focused on party mechanics rather than its ideology. In a letter to DNC members, Shakir said he’s become “frustrated” by the “lack of vision and conviction for what to do to restore a deeply damaged Democratic brand,” prompting his decision to join the race.

“We all seemingly agree — rhetorically at least — that focusing on winning back America’s diverse working class is of utmost priority,” Shakir wrote in his letter to DNC members. “But as I have listened to our candidates, I sense a constrained, status-quo style of thinking. We cannot expect working class audiences to see us any differently if we are not offering anything new or substantive to attract their support.”

But Shakir starts his bid far behind Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler and Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin, both of whom have rolled out high-profile endorsements and locked down some of the DNC’s 448 members, who will vote for their party’s chair on Feb. 1. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has also carved out a bloc of support among DNC members.

The DNC chair candidates will participate in their second forum on Thursday in Michigan, but Shakir, who entered the race on Wednesday, will not be on the stage. There are two more forums scheduled in January.

In his letter to members, Shakir laid out some of his platform for his bid, including a pledge to turn the DNC into “an organizing army” with its own “powerful media outlet” that will release its own “compelling original content.”

Politics

FCC chair Brendan Carr on Trump, free speech and his threats against broadcasters

Published

16 hours ago

July 31, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

FCC chair Brendan Carr on Trump, free speech and his threats against broadcasters

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Politics

Mandela Barnes considering dropping out of Wisconsin governor race

Published

1 day ago

July 30, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and his team are discussing dropping out of the crowded Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The conversations come as Democratic officials in the state brace for damaging media reports about Barnes expected to hit in the coming hours. Barnes and his team have been on calls Thursday to discuss how to proceed, according to the people, granted anonymity to share private details.

The primary had become increasingly messy as more moderate leaning Democrats like Barnes have tried to stave off Democratic socialist Francesca Hong’s rise, worried her victory could boost presumed Republican nominee Tom Tiffany. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement of David Crowley — who reentered the race in the final stretch — further complicated the moderate coalition.

A spokesperson for Barnes’ campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.