2005 Democratic National Committee chairmanship election

Following the 2004 U.S. presidential election, some Democratic Party insiders wanted Terry McAuliffe to remain DNC chair. The netroots pushed for a different leader who would move the party away from the large donors.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=384231&page=1|title=Another Term for McAuliffe as DNC Chair?|date=January 6, 2006|work=ABC News|access-date=November 13, 2016}} Howard Dean, a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for president in 2004, announced his bid to become DNC chair on January 11.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/11/dean.dnc/index.html?iref=newssearch|title=Dean announces bid for DNC chair|date=January 11, 2005|publisher=CNN|access-date=November 13, 2016}} Other candidates to declare included Former U.S. Representative Tim Roemer of Indiana,{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/roemer-makes-dnc-bid-official|title=Roemer Makes DNC Bid Official|date=January 10, 2005|publisher=Fox News Channel|access-date=November 13, 2016}} former Al Gore and John Kerry staffer Donnie Fowler, Mayor of Denver Wellington Webb, New Democrat Network founder Simon Rosenberg, Former U.S. Representative Martin Frost of Texas, and Ohio Democratic Party Chair David J. Leland.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/30/politics/seven-candidates-scramble-to-lead-the-party-that-lost.html|title=Seven Candidates Scramble to Lead the Party That Lost|first1=Adam|last1=Nagourney|first2=Anne E.|last2=Kornblut|work=The New York Times|date=January 30, 2005|access-date=November 13, 2016}} Kate Michelman almost ran due to Roemer's anti-abortion stance, but she opted not to run.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/16/roemer.dnc/|title=Roemer lashes out in DNC chairman race: Memo criticizes candidate's opposition to abortion rights|publisher=CNN|date=January 16, 2005|access-date=November 13, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/howard-dean-back-on-the-cool-list/|title=Howard Dean: Back On The Cool List|work=CBS News|date=February 11, 2005 |access-date=November 13, 2016}} Harold M. Ickes also considered running, but did not.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/politics/from-ashes-of-04-effort-dean-reinvents-himself.html|title=From Ashes of '04 Effort, Dean Reinvents Himself|first=Todd S.|last=Purdum|work=The New York Times|date=February 6, 2005|access-date=November 13, 2016}}

Dean became the front-runner in the race, though Roemer received the endorsements of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Party leaders in the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2005/01/30/a_stop_dean_effort_arises_at_dnc_forum/|title=A 'stop-Dean' effort arises at DNC forum: Stakes high as party seeks new chairman|first=Nina|last=Easton|work=Boston Globe|date=January 30, 2005|access-date=November 15, 2016}} Though the executive committee of the Association of State Democratic Party chairs recommended an endorsement of Fowler,{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1022630,00.html|title=Fowler 1, Dean 0|first=Viveca A.|last=Novak|magazine=Time|date=January 30, 2005|access-date=November 14, 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50266-2005Jan30.html|title=Democratic Group Backs Fowler Over Dean to Lead DNC|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 13, 2016}} the group chose to endorse Dean on January 31. Webb dropped out and endorsed Dean.{{cite web|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/02/01/state_party_chiefs_back_dean/|title=State party chiefs back Dean: Bid for DNC post gains momentum|first=Will|last=Lester|agency=Associated Press |work=Boston Globe|date=February 1, 2005|access-date=November 13, 2016}} On February 1, Dean announced the endorsements of 53 more members of the DNC, increasing his total number of DNC supporters to 102.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-feb-02-na-dnc2-story.html|title=Dean Advances Toward DNC's Top Post as Frost Withdraws|first=Ronald|last=Brownstein|date=February 2, 2005|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 13, 2016}} The AFL–CIO opted not to endorse a candidate.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6895837|title=AFL-CIO won't make DNC chair endorsement|date=February 1, 2005|work=NBC News|access-date=November 13, 2016}} Meanwhile, the Service Employees International Union endorsed Dean. Without the support of the labor movement, Frost dropped out.{{cite web|url=http://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Frost-drops-out-of-race-for-Democratic-Party-8489675.php|title=Frost drops out of race for Democratic Party chairman|work=Plainview Daily Herald|date=February 2005 |access-date=November 13, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dean-dominates-dnc-chief-race/|title=Dean Dominates DNC Chief Race|work=CBS News|date=February 7, 2005 |access-date=November 13, 2016}} Receiving little support, Leland dropped out as well.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/02/politics/dean-emerging-as-likely-chief-for-democrats.html|title=Dean Emerging as Likely Chief for Democrats|first1=Adam|last1=Nagourney|first2=Anne E.|last2=Kornblut|work=The New York Times|date=February 2, 2005|access-date=November 13, 2016}}

Rosenberg dropped out on February 4 and endorsed Dean.{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-04-dean_x.htm|title=Rosenberg drops out of DNC race, backs Dean|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=February 4, 2005|access-date=November 13, 2016}} Fowler dropped out on February 5 and endorsed Dean.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/02/05/dean.dnc/|title=Dean virtually locks up DNC chairmanship|publisher=CNN|date=February 5, 2005|access-date=November 13, 2016}} Roemer, Dean's last challenger, dropped out on February 7.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/deans-last-dnc-chair-rival-drops-out-of-race/|title=Dean's Last DNC Chair Rival Drops Out of Race|date=February 8, 2005|publisher=Fox News Channel|access-date=November 13, 2016}} Dean was elected by a voice vote on February 12.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6958538|title=Howard Dean elected to lead Democrats|date=February 13, 2005|work=NBC News|access-date=November 13, 2016}}

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Category:2005 elections in the United States

Chairmanship election, 2005

Category:Democratic Party (United States) leadership elections

Category:February 2005 in the United States

Democratic National Committee chairmanship election