Malcolm Kenyatta may lose his position as vice chair of the DNC due to a procedural error.

A significant procedural error in a recent vote by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) could jeopardize the position of State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, who serves as the committee’s vice-chairman. Elected in February, Kenyatta has expressed profound disappointment and frustration regarding the situation, claiming he has dedicated himself to his role since taking on the duties.

Kenyatta, who has been a representative for North Philadelphia since 2019, is notable for being the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Throughout his political career, he has taken an active stance against gun violence and has previously held roles in City Council, expanding his influence within national Democratic politics. He actively supported President Joe Biden’s campaign in 2020 and served as a speaker at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

On Monday evening, a subcommittee of the DNC recommended that a vote conducted earlier this year be invalidated, citing concerns that the process unfairly marginalized female candidates. This development, however, is not yet official as the entire DNC must still cast votes on the matter. The potential invalidation of the February vote could necessitate that Kenyatta run for his position again, risking the possibility of losing his role.

This challenge was raised by Oklahoma Democratic Committeewoman Kalyn Free, who previously ran against Kenyatta and David Hogg, the other vice-chairman, an activist widely recognized for his involvement in gun control advocacy. The core of Free’s argument revolves around the DNC’s voting process, which according to her, did not allow for a fair opportunity for female candidates to compete.

Under DNC regulations, vice-chair positions must be filled in a manner that maintains gender diversity, with requirements for an equitable male-female ratio among the committee members. The vote in question combined the election for the final two vice-chair positions into a single ballot instead of conducting separate votes for each role. Free contends that this method created an environment where voters had to select at least one male candidate, effectively eliminating the possibility of electing a woman onto the executive committee.

Representatives for both Hogg and Kenyatta have defended the voting method, asserting that the DNC had the authority to execute the election as they did. The outcome of this ongoing dispute remains to be seen, as the DNC’s final decision will determine the future of Kenyatta’s position and the representation of women within the committee.

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