Randi Weingarten, the president of one of the country’s most influential labor unions, is leaving the Democratic National Committee. The American Federation of Teachers union leader resigned from the DNC due to disagreements with chairman Ken Martin. “I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging,” Weingarten wrote in her resignation letter. Randi Weingarten RESIGNS from the DNC after 23 years— says the AFT will be very involved in the midterm elections. pic.twitter.com/OCt3WeofwV — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 16, 2025 A closer look: POLITICO reports: Weingarten has defended former DNC vice chair David Hogg, who was ousted last week from the committee, as he has come under fire over his decision to fund primary challenges against Democrats that he sees as ineffective in safe-blue districts. “Randi has gotten applause from the members when she told them, much to her dismay as a proud Dem,” said a spokesperson for Weingarten. Martin told DNC officers and staff in a recent private conversation that Hogg had “essentially destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to” and “I don’t know if I wanna do this anymore,” as POLITICO first reported. Weingarten sat on the DNC’s powerful rules and bylaws committee since 2009, and has been a delegate to Democratic conventions since 1992. JUST IN: Teacher union president Randi Weingarten is RESIGNING from the Democratic National Committee after 23 YEARS This comes after a spat with DNC Chair Ken Martin The Democrat party is collapsing before our eyes pic.twitter.com/LHGiVdmMLE — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 15, 2025 From The New York Times: On Friday, during an appearance at the Center for American Progress in Washington, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, a longtime Martin ally, said he still had confidence in him but regretted the public squabbling. “I certainly wished we wouldn’t have dirty laundry in public, but you know the personalities, things happen,” said Mr. Walz, who endorsed both Mr. Martin and Mr. Hogg in the party elections this year. “I don’t think Ken’s focus has shifted one bit on this of expanding the party.” Mr. Martin and a party spokeswoman did not immediately respond to messages about Ms. Weingarten’s resignation.