Wisconsin's Ben Wikler loses DNC Chair vote

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- The Democratic National Committee picked its new leader today. It was not former Wisconsin Democratic Leader Ben Wikler. 

Today's vote represented the Democratic National Party's first major move since the 2024 presidential election after the party lost the White House and Congress. Ben Wikler was considered a strong contender for the chairman's role, gaining endorsements from the Democratic leaders like Nansy Pelosi and Hakeen Jeffries. 

But it was Minnesota's Democratic Party Leader Ken Martin who got the most votes this morning in Maryland. 

Martin won by 246.5 votes. Wikler had 134.5 votes. 

After a contentious chair race, Martin says he's looking to unify the party saying the fight is now against Donald Trump and the billionaires who bought this country. 

CBS 58 talked with Wisconsin Democratic Strategist Joe Zepecki about Wikler losing today's vote. 

"Obviously those of us here in Wisconsin felt very strongly that Ben's leadership of the Wisconsin Democratic Party really has been a blueprint for the country," said Zepecki. "And I think what we saw in this race is what we've done here in Wisconsin is what's going to be the game plan nationally, even if Ben isn't gonna be leading the ship. And boy, are we glad to have him back here in Wisconsin."

Wikler released a statement on the vote. It said, in part: 

"I want to thank my supporters, from the bottom of my heart, for giving their all to this campaign, and to congratulate Ken Martin on his victory.

While the vote didn’t go the way I hoped, I’m grateful that our whole party has embraced the vision and the values that our campaign lifted up. It’s time to fight for working people, across race and ethnicity, in every corner of the country; to build a permanent campaign that organizes and communicates year-round, in every place and on every platform."