Opinion | "Even Centrists Agree": Endorsing Ben Wikler for DNC Chair
The leader of Third Way has expressed support for a former MoveOn member to take the helm of the Democratic Party.
TroibNews 
As Democrats prepare for the challenges ahead posed by Donald Trump and his MAGA supporters, a key priority is selecting a new party chair. Several notable candidates are vying for the position, with various factions supporting them.
At Third Way, we represent the center-left faction of the party. However, we share the perspective of former Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Mark Pocan and others on the far left that Ben Wikler, the Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, is the individual most suited to lead the Democratic National Committee during this critical and uncertain period.
This choice may initially seem unexpected. Wikler gained recognition as an organizer for MoveOn, a progressive advocacy organization. Although we have collaborated with MoveOn to address potential third-party spoilers in the 2024 election, we continue to have meaningful, and at times significant, differences with the far left regarding policy and political strategy.
So why do we consider Wikler the right leader for this moment? Three main reasons stand out.
First, there's the geographic factor.
The new DNC chair must focus on expanding a contracting national presence. In many states, the party finds itself unable to secure victories in presidential and Senate races. Areas where Democrats were once competitive have become challenging to navigate. However, this can be reversed—no political landscape is static—and it’s essential for Democrats to regain the White House, re-establish congressional majorities, and succeed in down-ballot contests.
Despite this necessity, nearly every elected national DNC chair over the past 30 years has hailed from a coastal state, with Howard Dean from Democratic-leaning Vermont being the lone exception. Perhaps not coincidentally, in 2024, Kamala Harris won only six contests out of 32 that do not border the coasts, with Vermont and Washington, D.C. being two of them. While the party excels on the coasts, the central regions pose a challenge. Wikler’s background in the Midwest is crucial, as he has cultivated what many view as a model state party.
In Wisconsin, Wikler demonstrated his ability to engage the voters essential for Democrats to reconnect with. He understands that, in states like his, the party must avoid being seen as an exclusive club for the affluent and college-educated. Only 36 percent of registered voters hold a four-year college degree. As evidenced by Trump’s 2024 victory, Democrats cannot afford to neglect, alienate, or condescend to the vast majority of voters.
The second reason is generational.
A fresh wave of leadership is essential for the Democrats. At 43, Wikler has led the Wisconsin Democratic Party into a new era through innovative use of social media, data insights, and modern campaigning techniques. His tenure has also been characterized by an enthusiastic commitment that has mobilized a dedicated corps of volunteers—the backbone of any political organization. In contrast to the Republican Party, currently led by the oldest person ever elected president, Democrats need to embrace a forward-looking leader untethered by the burdens of past political struggles.
The third reason revolves around ideology.
As the Rev. Jesse Jackson once stated, the Democratic Party needs “two wings to fly.” Indeed, the contemporary Democratic Party is a diverse coalition where spirited debate is not only welcomed but considered vital. This stands in stark contrast to Trump’s GOP, which allows no dissent from whatever MAGA dictates might prevail on any given day. For Democrats, this diversity of thought can be both an asset and a challenge. The party chair will not solely dictate policy or messaging, but their approach to ideological discussions is crucial. A chair must not represent merely one faction of the party but should demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and a history of rejecting rigid ideologies and purity tests. This entails being an honest mediator and a courageous truth-teller.
Throughout his career, Ben Wikler has upheld his mainstream, Midwestern values while recognizing that the primary task is not just to shift the Overton Window but to expand the party's reach. This mission is both a political and moral imperative for Democrats, as power is the key to effecting any meaningful change. Wikler adopted an inclusive strategy while building the Wisconsin Democratic Party, actively listening to both the left and the center. He dispensed with the false dichotomy between turnout and persuasion, striving to engage not only committed liberals and Democrats but also the swing voters and moderates who ultimately sway close elections. Democratic candidates in Wisconsin, regardless of their ideological stance, knew they had his support to advocate for their beliefs and to connect with voters in their areas effectively.
While Third Way and representatives like Rep. Pocan may have differing ideological views and strategies to rectify what went awry in 2024, we are united in our belief that Ben Wikler is the ideal candidate to unite our coalition, modernize our party, and expand its geographical footprint so that Democrats can achieve victory and effective governance once more.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
At Third Way, we represent the center-left faction of the party. However, we share the perspective of former Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Mark Pocan and others on the far left that Ben Wikler, the Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, is the individual most suited to lead the Democratic National Committee during this critical and uncertain period.
This choice may initially seem unexpected. Wikler gained recognition as an organizer for MoveOn, a progressive advocacy organization. Although we have collaborated with MoveOn to address potential third-party spoilers in the 2024 election, we continue to have meaningful, and at times significant, differences with the far left regarding policy and political strategy.
So why do we consider Wikler the right leader for this moment? Three main reasons stand out.
First, there's the geographic factor.
The new DNC chair must focus on expanding a contracting national presence. In many states, the party finds itself unable to secure victories in presidential and Senate races. Areas where Democrats were once competitive have become challenging to navigate. However, this can be reversed—no political landscape is static—and it’s essential for Democrats to regain the White House, re-establish congressional majorities, and succeed in down-ballot contests.
Despite this necessity, nearly every elected national DNC chair over the past 30 years has hailed from a coastal state, with Howard Dean from Democratic-leaning Vermont being the lone exception. Perhaps not coincidentally, in 2024, Kamala Harris won only six contests out of 32 that do not border the coasts, with Vermont and Washington, D.C. being two of them. While the party excels on the coasts, the central regions pose a challenge. Wikler’s background in the Midwest is crucial, as he has cultivated what many view as a model state party.
In Wisconsin, Wikler demonstrated his ability to engage the voters essential for Democrats to reconnect with. He understands that, in states like his, the party must avoid being seen as an exclusive club for the affluent and college-educated. Only 36 percent of registered voters hold a four-year college degree. As evidenced by Trump’s 2024 victory, Democrats cannot afford to neglect, alienate, or condescend to the vast majority of voters.
The second reason is generational.
A fresh wave of leadership is essential for the Democrats. At 43, Wikler has led the Wisconsin Democratic Party into a new era through innovative use of social media, data insights, and modern campaigning techniques. His tenure has also been characterized by an enthusiastic commitment that has mobilized a dedicated corps of volunteers—the backbone of any political organization. In contrast to the Republican Party, currently led by the oldest person ever elected president, Democrats need to embrace a forward-looking leader untethered by the burdens of past political struggles.
The third reason revolves around ideology.
As the Rev. Jesse Jackson once stated, the Democratic Party needs “two wings to fly.” Indeed, the contemporary Democratic Party is a diverse coalition where spirited debate is not only welcomed but considered vital. This stands in stark contrast to Trump’s GOP, which allows no dissent from whatever MAGA dictates might prevail on any given day. For Democrats, this diversity of thought can be both an asset and a challenge. The party chair will not solely dictate policy or messaging, but their approach to ideological discussions is crucial. A chair must not represent merely one faction of the party but should demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and a history of rejecting rigid ideologies and purity tests. This entails being an honest mediator and a courageous truth-teller.
Throughout his career, Ben Wikler has upheld his mainstream, Midwestern values while recognizing that the primary task is not just to shift the Overton Window but to expand the party's reach. This mission is both a political and moral imperative for Democrats, as power is the key to effecting any meaningful change. Wikler adopted an inclusive strategy while building the Wisconsin Democratic Party, actively listening to both the left and the center. He dispensed with the false dichotomy between turnout and persuasion, striving to engage not only committed liberals and Democrats but also the swing voters and moderates who ultimately sway close elections. Democratic candidates in Wisconsin, regardless of their ideological stance, knew they had his support to advocate for their beliefs and to connect with voters in their areas effectively.
While Third Way and representatives like Rep. Pocan may have differing ideological views and strategies to rectify what went awry in 2024, we are united in our belief that Ben Wikler is the ideal candidate to unite our coalition, modernize our party, and expand its geographical footprint so that Democrats can achieve victory and effective governance once more.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
