Union Boss Weingarten Quits DNC, Slams Party's 'Narrow Vision'

Paul Riverbank, 6/16/2025Influential teachers' union leader quits DNC, criticizing party's narrow vision and leadership direction.

I've covered the DNC since the Clinton years, and Weingarten's departure hits differently. Her June 5 letter to Chair Ken Martin didn't just announce an exit - it laid bare the frustrations simmering within the party's ranks. "I appear to be out of step with the leadership," she wrote, in what might be the understatement of the year.

Let's put this in perspective. Weingarten isn't just any committee member - she's been the voice of 1.7 million education workers. When someone with that kind of pull steps aside, citing concerns about the party's failure to "enlarge our tent," we'd better pay attention.

The timing here is fascinating. Coming right after David Hogg's controversial exit (remember the dust-up over his plans to primary sitting Democrats?), it paints a picture of a party wrestling with its identity. I've seen my share of internal party conflicts, but this one feels different - more fundamental somehow.

Malcolm Kenyatta tried to downplay the drama on MSNBC yesterday. "People are sick of hearing about drama at the DNC," he said. Well, sure - but sometimes drama is just truth wearing a loud outfit.

What really catches my eye is the AFT's response. They're promising to stay in the game for the 2025-26 elections, but reading between the lines, you can sense a shift in how they'll approach their political engagement.

Look, I've been around long enough to know that political parties need to evolve or die. The DNC's silence on this speaks volumes - and not in a good way. When you lose someone like Weingarten, who's been in the trenches since '92, you've got bigger problems than just an empty committee seat.

The real question isn't about who's next in line for her position. It's about whether the Democratic Party can figure out what it wants to be when it grows up. And from where I'm sitting, that answer isn't coming anytime soon.

The Democratic National Committee is facing what might be its most telling internal shake-up in recent memory. Just last week, I watched Randi Weingarten, the fierce advocate who's led the American Federation of Teachers for years, walk away from her DNC position after more than two decades of service. Trust me - this isn't your typical political resignation.I've covered the DNC since the Clinton years, and Weingarten's departure hits differently. Her June 5 letter to Chair Ken Martin didn't just announce an exit - it laid bare the frustrations simmering within the party's ranks. "I appear to be out of step with the leadership," she wrote, in what might be the understatement of the year.Let's put this in perspective. Weingarten isn't just any committee member - she's been the voice of 1.7 million education workers. When someone with that kind of pull steps aside, citing concerns about the party's failure to "enlarge our tent," we'd better pay attention.The timing here is fascinating. Coming right after David Hogg's controversial exit (remember the dust-up over his plans to primary sitting Democrats?), it paints a picture of a party wrestling with its identity. I've seen my share of internal party conflicts, but this one feels different - more fundamental somehow.Malcolm Kenyatta tried to downplay the drama on MSNBC yesterday. "People are sick of hearing about drama at the DNC," he said. Well, sure - but sometimes drama is just truth wearing a loud outfit.What really catches my eye is the AFT's response. They're promising to stay in the game for the 2025-26 elections, but reading between the lines, you can sense a shift in how they'll approach their political engagement.Look, I've been around long enough to know that political parties need to evolve or die. The DNC's silence on this speaks volumes - and not in a good way. When you lose someone like Weingarten, who's been in the trenches since '92, you've got bigger problems than just an empty committee seat.The real question isn't about who's next in line for her position. It's about whether the Democratic Party can figure out what it wants to be when it grows up. And from where I'm sitting, that answer isn't coming anytime soon.