DNC Releases 192-Page Review of 2024 Election Results

Washington — The Democratic National Committee released a 192-page review of the 2024 presidential election on Thursday. The document examines factors that contributed to the party's loss and includes a disclaimer on every page stating that it reflects the views of the author and that the DNC was not provided with underlying sourcing, interviews, or supporting data for many assertions.

Party chair Ken Martin said in a statement that he commissioned the review to examine the outcome and identify areas where the party had fallen short. He noted that he received the report late last year and determined it was not ready for release at that time because source material was not included. Martin said he decided to make the document public to prioritize transparency.

The release came after discussions among Democratic officials. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke with Martin by phone the previous week and expressed concern that the review had not been issued, according to people familiar with the conversation. NBC News first reported on the call. Shapiro is considered a potential candidate in future cycles.

Democratic strategist Paul Rivera prepared the report. Martin stated on a DNC call that Rivera is no longer working with the committee. The document contains editorial notes indicating that some quotes lack sourcing, that certain claims contradict public reporting, and that some statements are inconsistent with data presented in charts. It also includes typos and factual errors, such as an incorrect description of events on Jan. 6, 2021, claiming a Capitol Police officer was beaten to death.

The review states that the party conducted hundreds of interviews but does not name the individuals consulted. It addresses an enthusiasm gap among voters and assigns partial responsibility for the outcome to the Biden political operation. The document says the operation did not effectively support Vice President Kamala Harris after she became the nominee in July 2024. It further states that the party did not sufficiently highlight negatives associated with Donald Trump and that the White House did not adequately improve Harris's standing during her time as vice president.

The report notes that retrospective job approval ratings for Trump remained relatively high and that efforts to remind voters of past criticisms were insufficient. It observes that assumptions about fixed negative perceptions of Trump represented an analytical shortcoming, particularly in light of later shifts in his favorability.

The review discusses a Trump campaign advertisement that featured Harris's comments supporting gender-affirming surgery for transgender inmates. Pollsters consulted for the report described the ad as effective. The document states that the campaign faced limited options for response because the ad used Harris's own recorded statements and framed them around economic priorities. The report concludes that if Harris was unwilling to alter her position, no effective counter was available.

Martin had ordered the review in January 2025. In December of that year he indicated he would not release it, citing a focus on winning future elections and avoiding distractions following Democratic successes in off-year contests. In his Thursday statement he said the initial decision not to release the document ultimately created greater attention than anticipated and apologized for that result.

Democratic strategist Rob Flaherty, who served as deputy campaign director for the Biden and Harris efforts, wrote an essay last week for The Bulwark describing his input to the review team. Strategist Chuck Rocha, who participated in a lengthy interview for the document, said its release allows the party to examine past decisions and build on Senate race outcomes while calling for accountability.

The review does not examine certain topics such as developments in Israel and Gaza or questions about former President Joe Biden's age. Democrats continue to navigate internal differences as they prepare for upcoming elections, including a primary contest in Pennsylvania's 3rd District where progressive candidate Chris Rabb defeated other contenders for the nomination to succeed retiring Rep. Dwight Evans.

The document's findings on voter enthusiasm, campaign messaging, and operational support provide specific points for party officials to consider in future planning. Martin has indicated that the release supports ongoing efforts to assess performance across recent cycles.