Randi Weingarten is departing the DNC, telling Chair Ken Martin she is "out of step with the leadership." (AP/Reuters)
Hogg, the 25-year-old progressive firebrand, announced last week he would not seek re-election for vice chair after sparking internal rifts with his $20 million plan to primary challenge older incumbent Democrats he said are "asleep at the wheel" through his outside political action group, Leaders We Deserve.
DNC CHAIR RIPPED DAVID HOGG OVER PARTY INFIGHTING IN LEAKED MEETING AUDIO: 'REALLY FRUSTRATING'
"There is a huge vacuum of leadership in the Democratic Party and Ken is proving to be a weak, ineffective leader who isn’t ready for any of this," a former DNC official, who asked for anonymity to speak more freely, told Fox News Digital.
A DNC committee member, who was also granted anonymity, told Fox News Digital it was "not surprising" the union leaders decided to step down from the DNC, "given they both supported another candidate."
Both Weingarten and Saunders supported Martin's competitor in the race for DNC chair, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler. As chair, Martin later removed Weingarten from the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee, which is the group responsible for drafting the Democratic Party's presidential nominating calendar and election process.
The committee member said Weingarten and Saunders "are both incredible leaders" with the country's best interests in mind, and they are "confident we will all come together and focus and continue beating Republicans."
Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin speaks with Fox News on Dec. 12, 2024 in Washington D.C. (Fox News - Paul Steinhauser)
"I don’t think you intended this, but you essentially destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to. So, it’s really frustrating," Martin said.
Martin affirmed the DNC would stay neutral in Democratic primaries after Hogg's $20 million primary pledge. The DNC chair gave Hogg the ultimatum to either rescind his vice chair position or forego his political influence through his PAC.
However, that did not stop Hogg from defying advice and wading into additional Democratic primaries by endorsing Virginia state Del. Irene Shin in the special election to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va.
Members voted Wednesday to uphold the Credentials Committee's resolution proposed by longtime Democratic Party activist, Kalyn Free, to host a re-election for two vice chair positions, which were held by Hogg and DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Martin commended Hogg's decision Wednesday, thanking him for "his years of activism, organizing, and fighting for his generation," as the Democratic Party seemed prepared to leave their Hogg drama in the dust.
The union leaders' departure is the latest public infighting to plague the Democratic Party in the aftermath of losing the White House and Congress in 2024.
Weingarten and Saunders did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/randi-weingarten-lee-saunders-quit-dnc-latest-blow-dem-party-leadership