Since former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley announced his candidacy for the next chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), several other politicians have joined him. From state democratic chairs to sitting senators, the pool of contenders continues to widen.
Robert Houton, a Bethesda resident who previously sought the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate this year, notified all DNC members of his bid for candidacy on Sunday. Jaime Harrison, the current DNC chair, is not seeking reelection. The committee must now elect a new chair on Feb. 1 next year.
Houton, who previously championed the fight against opioid abuse in his Senate campaign, has continued to present himself as a such. According to Maryland Matters, Houton wrote in his letter that he had “boldly led in fighting the fentanyl crisis plaguing our nation and America’s youth.”
Outside of his runs for office, Houton is the director of Team Vaccinate, a Bethesda-based lobbying firm. Last year, it pushed for the legalization of fentanyl test strips. He is also the founder of the Coalition for Families, Teens and Students, which focuses on beach consumer-protection.
By the end of the Senate primary, Houton had nearly 2,000 votes, finishing ninth out of 10 candidates.
Despite losing Senate candidacy for one of the most expensive electoral races in the state’s history, Houton says he’s maintained “the support of [his] community and Marylanders who want a fighter with passion and integrity,” in his letter to DNC members.
After losing the White House and Senate, the Democratic party is facing criticism that it has lost sight of working-class voters. This DNC chair race marks a pivotal moment for the party’s future as the direction of the committee relies heavily on who’s elected as chair.
Photo courtesy of Robert Houton.
