Wisconsin's Ben Wikler launches bid for DNC chair

MADISON Wis. (CBS 58) -- The race to lead the Democratic Party continues to build as Ben Wikler, chair of Wisconsin's Democratic Party, has announced he's entering the race.

Wikler joins two other candidates who are vying to become chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Martin O'Malley, former Maryland governor and Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, were among the first to formally enter the race earlier this month.

In a launch video Sunday morning, Wikler said "Today the country that we love needs the democratic party to be stronger. To unite, to fight, and to win."

Since 2019, Wikler has led the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and has since become one of the best fundraisers nationwide.

He raised more than $150 million over five years in the job and helped Democrats win nine of the last 14 statewide elections.

The next chair will become the face of the party in wake of a disappointing 2024 election cycle as party leaders look to tackle President-elect Donald Trump's second administration.

Democrats will hold a meeting next month to discuss the election process to replace outgoing chair Jaime Harrison. Candidate interviews will begin in January and a new chair will be elected on Feb. 1, according to Harrison.