Ken Martin has been a disaster for Dems

Opinion>Opinions - Lindsey's Lens The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill Ken Martin has been a disaster for Dems Comments: by Lindsey Granger, opinion contributor - 07/27/26 12:55 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Lindsey Granger, opinion contributor - 07/27/26 12:55 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Democrats should be heading into the 2026 midterms from a position of strength.

The president’s approval ratings are way down, inflation and gas prices remain political liabilities, and his administration continues to face criticism over its handling of the war with Iran. Yet instead of capitalizing on those vulnerabilities over the past year and a half, the Democratic National Committee is making headlines about internal turmoil, fundraising struggles, and questions about Chairman Ken Martin’s leadership — again.

According to The New York Times, the DNC is $2 million dollars in debt, while President Trump controls a $400 million super PAC and the Republican National Committee has nearly $130 million in cash on hand.

The financial concerns don’t stop there. NOTUS has a new report out that notes the DNC even used its Washington headquarters as collateral to secure a $15 million line of credit last year, a move that, while not unprecedented, has fueled concerns because it comes well before a presidential election cycle. Party officials have also reportedly discussed delaying vendor payments until after the midterms to ease immediate financial pressure.

That’s not it. In the Times report, Martin reportedly threw his cellphone toward a junior aide’s desk during a confrontation that resulted in an HR complaint. The Times also describes a chairman increasingly isolated, frustrated by leaks, and struggling to maintain confidence among donors and party insiders.

This all comes after criticism over Martin’s handling of the long-promised 2024 election autopsy and growing frustration from donors who remain reluctant to invest in the party.

One flashpoint has been Martin’s spending priorities. During a botched appearance on “Pod Save America,” he defended giving equal financial support to Democratic organizations in U.S. territories as he does states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina, especially as the party is facing this mounting financial strain.

Jon Favreau: “If you have this much debt, is that that the right allocation of money to be giving it to states and parties in Guam and Northern Mariana Islands when Axios reported that there is also contemplating layoffs at the DNC?”

Ken Martin: “Again, Jon you’re just throwing out a bunch of garbage, we’ve never contemplated layoffs at the DNC. … I think it is a worthwhile allocation because when we organize everywhere we can win anywhere.”

That defense comes as federal records show spending from the DNC and an affiliated fundraising committee for Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa reached roughly $840,000 since the beginning of last year — even though those territories do not affect control of Congress.

“Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough posted on X: “This is not sustainable. Anyone who cares about the Democratic Party—including Ken Martin—would say ‘Enough.’ The DNC is flat broke. This must change now.”

Martin has been a disaster for Democrats. The party has been handed political opportunities that opposition parties rarely receive: an incumbent president facing declining approval, economic anxiety and mounting controversy. Yet instead of dominating the national conversation, Democrats are answering questions about debt, management, fundraising and internal dysfunction.

Political parties don’t win elections on favorable polling alone, they need donors, organization, message discipline and confidence from their own supporters. Right now, the reporting suggests Martin is struggling on all four fronts.

Democrats still have time before November. But unless the party can reassure donors, stabilize its finances and project competent leadership, it risks squandering what should be one of its strongest political environments in years. This is about more than bookkeeping. The party is completely missing the mark and the opportunity to engage, reinvigorate and captivate voters.

Lindsey Granger is a NewsNation contributor and co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising.” This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.

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