David Hogg, the 25-year-old Democratic National Committee (DNC) vice chair and Parkland shooting survivor, has sparked debate with a $20 million initiative to challenge long-serving Democratic lawmakers in primaries. Hogg, a prominent gun control advocate, announced the strategy through his organization, Leaders We Deserve, co-founded in 2023.
In a Tuesday tweet, he stated, “Everyone in our party says they want to start winning again, and they do — but that simply will not be possible with our current set of leaders, too many of which are asleep at the wheel, out-of-touch, and ineffective.” While the group has not named specific targets, it aims to replace incumbents in safe Democratic House seats with fresh faces.
Hogg’s public critique of party leadership has drawn sharp criticism from some Democrats, highlighting tensions within the party as it navigates its future following recent electoral setbacks.
His approach, which breaks with the DNC’s traditional neutrality in primaries, raises questions about resource allocation and party unity.
Mixed Reactions Within the Democratic Party
Hogg’s strategy has elicited strong responses from party insiders. A senior Democratic source expressed frustration to The Post, saying, “David Hogg is interested in one thing and one thing only: David Hogg.”
The source accused him of using his political action committee (PAC) to “enrich himself” and build a personal following, adding, “This dude’s got nothing else.
He is full of you-know-what.” Another Democratic staffer sarcastically remarked, “David Hogg is an inspiration. One day, I will be able to teach my kids about him and show that no matter how annoying you are and no matter how much you grift, you too can rise in political power and help a party that just got its ass whupped continue to lose.”
Conversely, DNC chairman Ken Martin defended Hogg’s contributions, stating, “David Hogg is a passionate advocate and we are grateful for his service to the Democratic Party, whether it be in his role as a DNC vice chair or in an outside capacity.”
Martin emphasized the DNC’s policy of letting primary voters choose candidates, noting, “In order to ensure we are as effective as possible at electing Democrats to office, it is the DNC’s longstanding position that primary voters — not the national party — determine their Democratic candidates for the general election.” Hogg’s refusal to sign a recent DNC neutrality policy underscores his commitment to his independent approach.
Balancing Renewal and Party Goals
Hogg’s initiative comes at a time when Democrats are optimistic about reclaiming the House in the 2026 midterms, buoyed by historical trends and shifting public opinion. However, his plan to fund primary challenges has raised concerns about diverting resources from competitive races.
A Democratic strategist acknowledged the need for new leadership, saying, “No one can disagree that we need a new generation of leadership,” but questioned the strategy’s efficiency, adding, “I’m not sure that this is the best use of limited resources when Democrats can make significant headways down-ballot — and especially since we have evidence of over-performing in those races.”
Hogg has clarified that his group will avoid targeting Democrats in swing districts, stating he wants “us to win the majority.” He also rejected age-based criteria, telling Politico, “We have a culture of seniority politics that has created a litmus test of who deserves to be here. We need people, regardless of their age, that are here to fight.”
Notably, Hogg praised Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Jan Schakowsky as “fighters who are delivering,” even as younger challengers like Saikat Chakrabarti in San Francisco and Kat Abughazaleh in Illinois target their seats.
As Hogg’s $175,000 PAC salary since 2023 draws scrutiny, his unconventional push for party renewal continues to stir both support and skepticism within Democratic circles.
