SEATTLE (Diya TV) — Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, has been elected Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), marking a historic moment for the national party. She is the first South Asian American to serve as a DNC officer and won with nearly 56% of the vote in a runoff against Oklahoma DNC member Kalyn Free, according to DNC Secretary Jason Rae.

The unusual re-do election followed a challenge over gender-parity rules that voided the original January vote. That initial election had named Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Florida-based gun violence activist David Hogg as vice chairs. However, Free contested the process, arguing the party had violated its gender equity rules. The DNC voted 294–99 to uphold her challenge.

Following the ruling, Hogg opted not to seek the position again, citing ongoing disagreements with the new DNC Chair, Ken Martin, over candidate neutrality in Democratic primaries. Hogg plans to focus on his group, Leaders We Deserve, which backs progressive candidates.

That left one vice chair spot open. Kenyatta retained his seat without opposition, while Conrad and Free emerged as the final contenders. In the June 20 runoff, Conrad won 225 votes to Free’s 177.

“This was the longest election in DNC history, and every vote reflected our shared belief in building a stronger, more inclusive party,” Conrad said in a statement. She emphasized her commitment to empowering young leaders and representing AAPI communities—America’s fastest-growing voting bloc.

Conrad has served as Washington State Democratic Party Chair since early 2023. Under her leadership, the party has seen a string of victories. Democrats won every statewide race in 2024, including officially nonpartisan ones, and defeated three of four Republican-led initiatives. The party also expanded legislative majorities and reclaimed key local offices, including the mayoralty of Spokane and Pierce County Executive.

“She’s the first Indian American woman to lead a state party—and she helped win some of the toughest congressional races in the country,” said Kenyatta, praising her as a results-driven organizer.

Conrad’s colleagues in Washington praised her leadership style and strategic vision. Jason Park, a DNC member, called her “a no-drama bridge builder” who has raised enough funds to support over 80 local Democratic organizations across Washington. He added, “She is the next-generation leader we need.”

Conrad previously led the King County Democrats and has been active in grassroots organizing for years. Though she narrowly missed an appointment to the state senate in 2016, her political profile rose steadily.

Ken Martin, the new DNC Chair, recently appointed her to the Rules & Bylaws Committee and welcomed her election. “I look forward to working with her to bolster state party infrastructure and broaden our Democratic coalition,” he said.

Now, as Vice Chair, Conrad will help shape the DNC’s strategy for regaining a congressional majority and countering Republican gains, especially under former President Donald Trump’s renewed campaign.

“We’re doing something right here,” Conrad told McClatchy last year. “We’re winning—and I just wish sometimes people would ask, ‘What’s the model?’”

With her new role, that model could soon find a national audience.