[VT Maryland] — February 1, 2025, Malcolm Kenyatta has been elected as a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) following a vote by DNC members on Saturday. Alongside Kenyatta, Artie Blanco and David Hogg were also elected to serve as Vice Chairs.
Kenyatta, a Pennsylvania State Representative from the 181st district, has been active in Democratic politics for years. He was previously the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania Auditor General in 2024 and has been involved in various leadership and advisory roles within the party.
During the nomination process, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Sharif Street introduced Kenyatta, highlighting his work campaigning for Democrats across multiple states. “He has crisscrossed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, campaigned for Democrats in South Carolina and Iowa, and moved around the country to ensure our party wins nationwide,” Street said.
In his speech, Kenyatta reflected on his family’s history and the challenges facing the country. He recalled a conversation with his grandmother, a civil rights activist, during the Trump administration. “She told me, ‘Baby, I’m so sorry, because I thought our generation had fixed some of this stuff, and here you are fighting the same battles.’”
Kenyatta emphasized the urgency of addressing key issues such as environmental concerns, economic security for seniors, and gun violence. “This is a moment for us to choose,” he said. “Now, there are folks who have written the obituary of the Democratic Party, but I didn’t come here for a funeral—I came for a revival.”
He called on Democrats to remain active and resist efforts to cut social programs. “Are we going to roll over and play dead, or are we going to stand up? Are we going to give in when Republican extremists want to rip away Medicare and Social Security, or are we going to stand up?”
Kenyatta concluded his speech by urging delegates to support his candidacy, stating that he would work to engage voters and strengthen the party. “If you want generational change, write down Malcolm Kenyatta. If you want someone who’s going to show up, write down Malcolm Kenyatta.”
As a representative from Philadelphia, a city known for its diverse communities, Kenyatta has also engaged with various cultural groups. In past years, he has extended Lunar New Year greetings to the Chinese American community, recognizing the contributions of Asian Americans in Philadelphia and beyond. Born in 1990, the Year of the Horse, Kenyatta has often spoken about resilience and determination—qualities traditionally associated with those born in his zodiac year.
The event also saw participation from prominent figures in Philadelphia politics. Among those attending were Councilmember Cindy Bass, who represents District 8 and serves as Majority Deputy Whip and Jim Harrity, one of seven Council Members At-Large on Philadelphia’s City Council. Their presence underscored the significance of Kenyatta’s election for both Pennsylvania and the broader Democratic Party.
