History of Ken Martin in Timeline

Kenneth Nathan Martin is an American politician who currently serves as chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) since 2025. Before this, he held several prominent positions within the Democratic party, including chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, president of the Association of State Democratic Committees, and a vice chair of the DNC. His career reflects a long-standing involvement and leadership within the Democratic political landscape.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 17, 1973: Kenneth Martin Born

On July 17, 1973, Kenneth Nathan Martin was born.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Interned for Paul Wellstone

In 1990, Martin began his political career as an intern for Minnesota U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone's campaign and later interned in his official office.

1992: Organized College Campuses for Clinton/Gore Campaign

In 1992, Martin organized college campuses throughout the South for the Clinton/Gore campaign.

1996: Graduated from University of Kansas

In 1996, Martin graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in political science and history. During the graduation ceremony, Chancellor Robert Hemenway presented Martin with the Donald K. Alderson Memorial Award for his campus involvement that benefited fellow students.

1998: Returned to Minnesota DFL Party

In 1998, Martin moved back to Minnesota and served as the political and field director for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party.

2000: Deputy State Director for Gore Campaign

In 2000, Martin served as the deputy Minnesota State Director for the Gore campaign.

2001: Policy Aide for Susan Haigh

From 2001 to 2005, Martin served as the policy aide for Ramsey County commissioner Susan Haigh.

2002: Campaign Manager for Buck Humphrey

In 2002, Martin was the campaign manager for secretary of state candidate Buck Humphrey.

2004: Helped Manage Kerry Presidential Campaign

In 2004, Martin helped manage John Kerry's presidential campaign in Minnesota.

2005: End of role as Policy Aide for Susan Haigh

In 2005, Martin ended his role as the policy aide for Ramsey County commissioner Susan Haigh after serving in the position since 2001.

2006: Aide to Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch

In 2006, Martin served as the executive assistant to Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch and helped run his campaign for governor.

2008: Led Campaign for Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment

In 2008, Martin led the campaign that successfully passed the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment (Legacy Amendment) to the Minnesota Constitution.

2010: Executive Director of WIN Minnesota

In 2010, Martin served as the executive director of WIN Minnesota, a donor collaborative that developed, funded, and directed independent expenditures during the election cycle. After the election, DFL gubernatorial nominee Mark Dayton chose Martin to direct Dayton's recount effort.

2011: Elected Chair of Minnesota DFL Party

In February 2011, Dayton asked Martin to serve as chairman of the Minnesota DFL Party, and he was elected unanimously.

2011: Inherited DFL Party Debt

When Martin was elected chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in 2011, he inherited a state party deeply in debt after significant election losses.

2012: DFL Regained Majorities

In the 2012 Minnesota elections, the DFL regained majorities in both houses of the state legislature. Also in 2012, Minnesota became the first state to defeat a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, a voter ID constitutional amendment was defeated, and DFL nominee Rick Nolan won in the 8th congressional district.

2014: Dayton and Franken Reelected

In 2014, Governor Dayton and U.S. Senator Al Franken were reelected.

2016: Close Win for Trump in Minnesota

After coming within 1.5% of winning Minnesota in 2016, Donald Trump's campaign heavily invested in winning Minnesota in 2020.

2016: Minnesota Voted for Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Minnesota was one of only two Midwestern states to vote for the Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton. The DFL also won all three of its rural congressional races.

2017: Elected President of ASDC

In 2017, Martin was elected by his peers nationwide as president of the Association of State Democratic Chairs (ASDC) and became a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

2017: Elected President of ASDC and Vice Chair of DNC

In 2017, Martin was elected president of the Association of State Democratic Committees and became a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.

2018: DFL Success in Minnesota Elections

In 2018, Tim Walz was elected governor, marking the first time the DFL had three consecutive terms. The DFL won every constitutional office, regained the majority in the State House, flipped two congressional seats, and elected two women to the U.S. Senate. Also in 2018, Martin persuaded Dean Phillips to run for Congress in Minnesota's 3rd district and Phillips defeated Erik Paulsen.

2020: Phillips Reelected

In 2020, Dean Phillips was reelected to Congress in Minnesota's 3rd district.

2020: Biden Wins Minnesota

In 2020, Democratic nominee Joe Biden won Minnesota with 52.40% of the vote to Trump's 45.28%. Tina Smith was reelected to the Senate, the DFL held the State House of Representatives and the two congressional seats the party flipped from red to blue in 2018, and flipped three Republican-held State Senate seats.

January 21, 2021: Reelected President of ASDC

On January 21, 2021, Martin was unanimously reelected president of the ASDC and pledged to continue "our important work of strengthening Democratic infrastructure across America".

February 6, 2021: Elected to Sixth Term as DFL Party Chairman

On February 6, 2021, Martin was elected to a sixth term as chairman of the DFL Party, becoming the longest-serving chairman in the party's 75-year history. The DFL had recently seen a slew of wins statewide and raised around three times as much funding as the state Republican Party in his first 10 years as chair. By the time of Martin's reelection, the Minnesota DFL had $2.5 million in the bank compared to the Republicans' $55,000.

2022: Phillips Reelected

In 2022, Dean Phillips was reelected to Congress in Minnesota's 3rd district.

2024: Harris Lost Presidential Election

After Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election, Martin announced his intention to run for chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

January 2025: Sought Support for DNC Chair

In January 2025, some press called Martin the front-runner in the race for chairman of the Democratic National Committee, with the support of at least 200 members. During his campaign, Martin promised to focus on helping build the party's infrastructure across the country and U.S. territories, embarking on a "post-election review", bringing the party's message to new outlets, and going on offense against Trump and his policies.

February 1, 2025: Elected Democratic National Committee Chair

On February 1, 2025, Martin was elected Democratic National Committee chair.

February 2025: Published First Memo as DNC Chair

In February 2025, Martin published his first memo as DNC chair, "Democrats Will Fight Against Trump's War on Working People", warning that most Americans see the Democratic Party as the "party of the elites" and the Republican Party as the "party of the working class". In the same month Martin started the "Organizing Everywhere" tour.