Wisconsin Democratic chief Ben Wikler announces bid for DNC chair

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(Reuters) -Wisconsin Democrat Ben Wikler said on Sunday he is joining the race to lead the Democratic National Committee as the party looks to rebuild from its losses in the November election.

Wikler said that Democrats failed to reach voters hit hardest by the high cost of living during last month’s presidential election, which was won by Republican former President Donald Trump.

“We’ve got to make sure that we are reaching people with the message that we are on their side and fighting for them,” Wikler said in a telephone interview.

Wikler, who serves as chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, is among several candidates looking to replace Jaime Harrison, the current chair who is not seeking re-election when the party votes early next year.

Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Minnesota Democratic chief Ken Martin and New York state Senator James Skoufis also are vying to become the new Democratic chair.

Democrats are trying to chart the way forward after losing the White House and control of the Senate, as well as failing to retake the House of Representatives.

Wikler, 43, previously served as a producer on comedian-turned-politician Al Franken’s radio show and as Washington director for the progressive action group MoveOn.

He said the national party could learn from organizing efforts he has overseen in Wisconsin, even though Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris narrowly lost the state to Trump.

Wikler said Democrats also need to focus on Trump’s economic agenda, which he claimed will favor wealthy Americans rather than working families.

“For Democrats, this is a critical time to unite and fight back against Trump’s plans,” Wikler said.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren and Tim ReidEditing by Colleen Jenkins, Marguerita Choy and Lisa Shumaker)