Ken Martin, elected DNC chair in February 2025 for a four-year term through 2029, faces ongoing internal criticism over the committee’s fundraising shortfalls, debt levels, and strategic decisions compared with the well-funded RNC. Critics within the party and media have pushed for change, particularly during summer 2026 flare-ups tied to the 2024 election autopsy and donor concerns, yet Martin retains solid backing from the roughly 450 DNC members—especially state party leaders—who hold removal authority and see no clear successor. Recent months show him actively leading, issuing statements on midterms and voter outreach, while Democrats report strong special-election results. The post-November 2026 winter meeting remains the earliest plausible window for any transition, with most observers expecting stability through the midterms given the lack of momentum for an immediate ouster.