DNC Chair Ken Martin on Making Democrats Strong Again

DNC Chair Ken Martin joins hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp to discuss the Democratic Party’s future in rural America. They explore the brand image of the Democratic Party and how to reconnect with blue collar and rural voters. Ken, Heidi and Joel stress the importance of authentic local messengers to deliver Democratic narratives, offering you practical steps for community-driven change.

Listen to learn how the Democratic Party plans to rebuild trust, restore its brand, and fight for economic opportunity in rural towns nationwide. Ken offers honest reflection on mistakes, shares new strategies for grassroots engagement, and unveils unprecedented investments in state party infrastructure. 

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Creators and Guests

 Heidi Heitkamp
Host
Heidi Heitkamp
U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp served as the first female senator elected from North Dakota from 2013 – 2019. he is the founder and Chair of the One Country Project, an organization focused on addressing the needs and concerns of rural America. Heidi was recently named the Director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, a university she has long been committed to and a place where she enjoys engaging with students over civic discussions while encouraging them to seek opportunities in public service to our country. Heidi also serves as a contributor to both CNBC and ABC News.
Joel Heitkamp
Host
Joel Heitkamp
He is an multi-award winning talk show host both regionally and nationally. Before radio, he served in the North Dakota Senate from 1995-2008.
Cheri Brisendine
Producer
Cheri Brisendine
Assistant Producer at Voxtopica
Ken Martin
Guest
Ken Martin
American politician serving since 2025 as chair of the Democratic National Committee. Martin formerly served as chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, president of the Association of State Democratic Committees, and a vice chair of the DNC.
Richard Fawal
Producer
Richard Fawal
Richard Fawal is founder and CEO of Voxtopica.
DNC Chair Ken Martin on Making Democrats Strong Again
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