David Hogg's new initiative, Leaders We Deserve, seeks to spend $20 million on primary challenges against older Democratic lawmakers. He argues that the current culture of seniority within the party allows ineffective leaders to remain in power. Hogg, who gained prominence as a Parkland shooting survivor, acknowledges that his plans may upset many Democrats. He believes many within the party express a desire for change but are unwilling to risk their power by supporting significant reforms.
âThis is going to anger a lot of people,â Mr. Hogg said of his efforts, which he began to brief allies, some lawmakers and party officials on in recent days.
âPeople say they want change in the Democratic Party, but really they want change so long as it doesn't potentially endanger their position of power,â he said. Thatâs not actually wanting change. Thatâs selfishness.
Mr. Hogg, 25, who emerged on the political scene as an outspoken survivor of the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., said his party must squelch a pervasive culture of seniority politics.
He is planning through a separate organization where he serves as president, Leaders We Deserve, to intervene in primaries in solidly Democratic districts as part of a $20 million effort to elect younger leaders.
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