The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has published a long-awaited postmortem on its 2024 election defeat, following a backlash over its initial decision to withhold the document. DNC chair Ken Martin apologised for the delay, acknowledging the report fails to meet expectations and lacks comprehensive findings.
The 192-page report, authored by strategist Paul Rivera, focuses on demographic losses among Latinos, men, and rural voters, and compares Kamala Harris’s performance to successful Democrats like North Carolina governor Josh Stein. It notes that Harris “wrote off rural America” and that focusing on “abstract issues and identity politics” was ineffective.
Notably, the autopsy omits key issues such as Joe Biden’s age, his decision to run for re-election, and the impact of US support for Israel’s war on Gaza. It also does not address claims of racism or sexism affecting Harris’s campaign. The report includes a disclaimer stating it reflects the author’s views, not the DNC’s, and that the party cannot verify its assertions due to missing sourcing and data.
Martin defended the release, saying he initially shelved the report to avoid distractions ahead of midterms, but acknowledged the move backfired. He pointed to recent Democratic off-year election wins as evidence of momentum, arguing that “dwelling on 2024” is unhelpful.
