Longtime Democratic Party Officer Steps Down Following David Hogg Ouster

Teachers union leader Randi Weingarten, a member of the DNC since 2002, announced her resignation after the vice chair’s departure.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, speaks at a press conference in Tamarac, Fla., on May 3, 2023. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Randi Weingarten, a longtime labor leader and member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), has resigned from her post as an at-large member, becoming the second prominent figure to exit the organization’s leadership ranks in just over a week.

Her departure follows the high-profile ouster of DNC Vice Chair David Hogg after the party voted to redo its officer elections.

“While I am proud to be a Democrat, I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our communities,” she wrote in a letter dated June 13 obtained by The Epoch Times and addressed to DNC Chair Ken Martin.

Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, noted in her letter that she has served as an at-large member of the DNC since 2002 and as a member of its Rules and Bylaws Committee since 2009. She also has served on the platform committee and been a delegate to each Democratic convention since 1992.

“I believe the Democratic Party has a vital role in America, the party in modern times that has fought relentlessly and repeatedly for all Americans to have justice, freedom and opportunity,” she said.

“The AFT’s 1.8 million members are education, healthcare and public service workers who devote their lives to protecting kids and communities while paving pathways for a better life for all Americans. Sadly, this mission is under attack like never before. It is an existential battle that I hope the Democratic Party will support. At the same time, given the work ahead of us, I must decline the appointment.”

She added that her work at the AFT will continue as they work to “be a leader in electing pro-public education, pro-working family candidates and will be especially engaged in the 2025-26 elections.”

Her resignation does not impact AFT leadership, where she has served as national president since 2008. Weingarten has long played an active role in Democratic campaigns and policymaking, especially on education and labor issues—most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hogg announced this past week that he was withdrawing from the do-over elections for his party officer position, hours after members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) voted 294–99 to overturn the Feb. 1 election in which he and Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta were elected as vice chairs.

Hogg threatened in April to hold primaries against “asleep at the wheel” members of his party through his Leaders We Deserve PAC.

The DNC will now hold the do-over elections with the same candidates minus Hogg via electronic balloting. The first election, which must appoint a man according to DNC rules, will be held June 12–15. The second, which may appoint either gender, will be held on June 15–17.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the AFT, and Weingarten but did not receive a response before publication time.

Stacy Robinson contributed to this report.