Before last weekend’s election for DNC Chair –  where Ken Martin was elected as the next leader of the Democratic National Committee – all seven candidates came together at Higher Ground Labs’ 2024 Election Tech Debrief to share their visions for the Democratic Party’s next era of political technology and digital engagement. Their discussion touched on essential questions about technology, voter outreach, and data infrastructure that remain vital to Democrats’ future success. As Democrats navigate an evolving media landscape, declining voter contact rates, and the increasing challenges posed by disinformation, these conversations highlight key strategic priorities for strengthening the Party’s digital capabilities.

Watch the full live streamed Chair Candidates Forum below, produced by HGL portfolio company, Hovercast. 

Moderated by Founder & Managing Partner of Higher Ground Labs, Betsy Hoover and DNC Member Harry Khanna, the panel featured all seven chair candidates: Quintessa Hathaway, Ken Martin, Jason Paul, Faiz Shakir, Nate Snyder, Ben Wikler, and Marianne Williamson. With opening remarks from Governor Howard Dean, the conversation centered on the most pressing technological challenges facing the Democratic Party and how the next DNC Chair must address them.

Key discussion points included:

• Democratic tech evolution – Candidates reflected on the biggest technological innovations in the Party over the last decade and where Democrats have underinvested.
• Voter contact challenges – With contact rates dropping for traditional methods like phone calls, door-knocking, emails, and texts, candidates discussed how Democrats need to rethink outreach strategies to engage voters effectively.
• Control of the Party’s voter file and data infrastructure – Candidates debated whether the Party’s core voter data and technology should remain with private firms or be owned by the DNC and state parties to ensure long-term security and accessibility.
• Ending the DNC’s boom-and-bust staffing cycle – The Party’s digital and data teams play a crucial role in campaign success, yet post-election layoffs make it difficult to retain top talent. Candidates explored solutions to stabilize and grow the DNC’s technical staff.
• Digital media and emerging platforms – As younger voters increasingly turn to platforms like Twitch, TikTok, and YouTube for information, candidates discussed how the DNC must modernize its media strategy while maintaining ethical standards and protecting voter data.

The forum highlighted critical technology and data challenges facing the Democratic Party. As the DNC moves forward under new leadership, these discussions on digital innovation, organizing tools, and data infrastructure will shape strategic decisions in the cycles ahead.

The 2024 Election Tech Debrief was hosted by Higher Ground Labs, Zinc Labs, The Movement Cooperative, Cooperative Impact Lab, Tech For Campaigns, stac labs, Trestle Collaborative, Democratic National Committee, Arena, Community Tech Alliance, Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, Investing In US, OneOne Ventures, SEIU, Analyst Institute, Arizona Democratic Party, Iconico, and Blueline with thanks to Action Network, COURIER, PDI, Microsoft, Bully Pulpit International, and TargetSmart.