Newly elected Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg is facing criticism from within his party for allegedly using his new position to solicit donations for his personal political action committee (PAC), according to party insiders.
Just two weeks into his role, Hogg has been sending mass messages to DNC contact lists, urging recipients to contribute to his PAC, “Leaders We Deserve.” Federal Election Commission records reveal that Hogg draws over $100,000 annually from the PAC, per the New York Post.
One of the eight text messages sent to the DNC’s extensive database read: “David Hogg here: I was just elected DNC Vice Chair! This is a huge win for our movement to make the Democratic Party more reflective of our base: youthful, energetic, and ready to win.”
Each of these solicitations directed recipients to a fundraising page for his PAC, rather than the DNC’s official fundraising efforts.
A high-ranking Democratic official voiced concern, stating, “David Hogg—talk about living up to your name. A trough of DNC dollars all for him and he doesn’t seem to give an oink.”
Hogg launched “Leaders We Deserve” in August 2023, aiming to support young progressives running for Congress and state legislatures. The PAC has also provided him with a six-figure salary straight out of college.
Since its inception, financial records indicate that Hogg has personally received more than $175,000 from the PAC. In December alone, he collected over $20,000 in salary payments.
Although there are no explicit rules barring officials from raising money for personal PACs, Hogg’s actions have unsettled some members of the party leadership.
“It’s especially important for all Democratic national officials to focus on raising support for the party and not using their position to raise money for themselves or their personal political PACs,” another senior Democratic official stated. “It’s a stunning lack of judgment that is concerning to many people.”
Hogg first gained national attention in 2018 as a survivor of the Parkland school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which resulted in 17 deaths.
His rise to DNC vice chair at just 24 years old makes him one of the most powerful Generation Z figures in U.S. politics. However, some within the party are uneasy about his limited experience and previous support for far-left policies, such as defunding the police and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Cameron Kasky, another survivor of the Parkland shooting, criticized Hogg’s rapid ascent. “I mean, it’s just very frustrating to be in a party in desperate need of increased accountability for our struggling leadership and watch someone who is never held accountable ascend to leadership.”
When reached by phone, Hogg declined to comment, stating he was “not doing any interviews” before abruptly ending the call.
A spokesperson for Hogg later defended him via email, asserting, “David has already raised money for the DNC since becoming Vice Chair, and many times before.”
