Fast Five: MN Chairman Martin Elected DNC Chairman; Rep. Byron Donalds Leads GOP Gov. Poll; MI Rep. John James has Strong Gov. Primary Lead

Providing you with a recap of this week’s top five news items and resources straight from our experts.

MN Chairman Ken Martin Elected DNC Chairman

Minnesota Democratic Farm Labor Party chairman Ken Martin was elected as the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee replacing South Carolina’s Jaime Harrison who declined to seek re-election for a second term.

Mr. Martin has run the Minnesota party operation since 2010. He defeated Wisconsin Democratic Party chairman Ben Wikler and former Maryland Governor and 2016 presidential candidate Martin O’Malley with more than 57% of the vote. A total of 428 Democratic National Committee members participated in the vote.

Rep. Byron Donalds Leads GOP Governor’s Poll by 29 Points

The Victory Insights research firm tested the Florida Republican electorate and sees US Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Naples) opening with a big lead. Though no candidate has formally announced for Governor, Rep. Donalds appears as a definitive bet to run. The VI poll (1/26-27; 850 FL likely 2026 Republican primary voters; interactive voice response system and text) projects Rep. Donalds as holding a substantial 33-4-3-1% advantage over Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, state Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Nunez is now scheduled to resign her position to become the interim President of Florida International University. Gov. DeSantis will then appoint a new Lt. Governor, which could change the outlook for the 2026 gubernatorial campaign to replace him.

Michigan Rep. John James has Strong Gov Primary Lead

Rep. John James (R-Farmington Hill) is way ahead in a newly released statewide poll. The OnMessage firm tested the Michigan Republican primary electorate (1/17-19; 1,000 MI likely 2026 Republican primary voters; text to web) and finds Rep. James leading Sen. Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township), former Attorney General Mike Cox, and businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Kevin Rinke, by a huge 46-6-4-3% count. Rep. James has not indicated whether he will enter the open Governor’s campaign.

For the Democrats, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist moved closer to running for Governor. Early this week, he released a statement saying he would not enter the open US Senate race leading observers to believe he is taking one more step toward finalizing a campaign for the state’s chief executive position. Additionally, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson moved ahead to declared his candidacy for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

NYC Ex-Gov Cuomo Leads in New Poll

Another mayoral poll was released for the 2025 election, and the results confirmed two previously released public polls. The Honan Strategy Group conducted the latest mayor’s race survey (1/23-26; 769 New York City likely Democratic primary voters; text to web) and found former Governor Andrew Cuomo leading the pack of candidates while Mayor Eric Adams is way behind. The initial ballot test question found Mr. Cuomo topping NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and Mayor Adams 35-9-9%, with all other candidates trailing in single digit support.

New York City uses the Ranked Choice Voting system to determine the municipal election winners. Carried through to a sixth RCV round, Mr. Cuomo would defeat Mr. Lander 58-17%. Mayor Adams would be eliminated after the fifth round of political overtime voting. Among the respondents, 85% said that Mayor Adams should not be re-elected. Rounds continue until one candidate commands majority support.

North Carolina Gov. Cand Robinson Won’t Oppose Sen. Tillis

Former Lt. Governor Mark Robinson (R), whose 2024 gubernatorial campaign was destroyed over a personal scandal revelation, said he will not challenge Sen. Thom Tillis (R) next year. Mr. Robinson said he has no plans to again seek public office. Democrats are expected to make North Carolina their top 2026 Senate conversion target. Sen. Tillis has already announced that he will run for a third term.

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