New York Times first reported<\/a> Shakir\u2019s decision.<\/p>\nShakir\u2019s late entrance into the race could shake up a contest that has largely focused on party mechanics rather than its ideology. In a letter to DNC members, Shakir said he\u2019s become \u201cfrustrated\u201d by the \u201clack of vision and conviction for what to do to restore a deeply damaged Democratic brand,\u201d prompting his decision to join the race.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all seemingly agree \u2014 rhetorically at least \u2014 that focusing on winning back America\u2019s diverse working class is of utmost priority,\u201d Shakir wrote in his letter to DNC members. \u201cBut as I have listened to our candidates, I sense a constrained, status-quo style of thinking. We cannot expect working class audiences to see us any differently if we are not offering anything new or substantive to attract their support.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Shakir starts his bid far behind Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler and Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin, both of whom have rolled out high-profile endorsements and locked down some of the DNC’s 448 members, who will vote for their party\u2019s chair on Feb. 1. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O\u2019Malley has also carved out a bloc of support among DNC members.<\/p>\n
The DNC chair candidates will participate in their second forum on Thursday in Michigan, but Shakir, who entered the race on Wednesday, will not be on the stage. There are two more forums scheduled in January.<\/p>\n
In his letter to members, Shakir laid out some of his platform for his bid, including a pledge to turn the DNC into \u201can organizing army\u201d with its own \u201cpowerful media outlet\u201d that will release its own \u201ccompelling original content.\u201d<\/p>\n