WASHINGTON, D.C. (NewsNation) — After a November election that decidedly did not go the Democrats' way, the party is looking for a new leader to chart a different course.

The next chair of the Democratic National Committee will be tasked with messaging, helping counter the incoming Trump administration and proving to voters that Democrats are the better choice in future elections.

NewsNation has interviewed all the candidates up for the job. Below is a Q&A conducted with Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer-Labor Party, who is vying for DNC chair. Read Q&As with the other candidates here.

The interview has been edited and paraphrased for clarity and length.

NewsNation: What went into your decision to run for DNC chair?

Martin: I think in every crisis moment, it’s an opportunity. This is an opportunity to reimagine the DNC, to really think through a critical lens of what it could be and what it should be.

I’ve obviously had a lot of success over my time as the Chair in Minnesota. In 2010 when I came in on the heels of that disastrous election, the Minnesota DFL (Minnesota Democratic–Farmer-Labor Party) had just suffered its worst election loss in 50 years. And what it required me to do was to build a plan. A long-term plan and vision for the Minnesota DFL to help us win again.

In 2016, when I decided on the heels of that disastrous election, to run for vice chair of the DNC to lead our state parties, which I have over the last eight years, you have to remember that the DNC was deeply in debt to the tune of about 70 some odd million dollars. Our data infrastructure was way behind the Republicans. And of course, our state parties had been hollowed out.

I immediately went to work as the president of the ASDC, the Association of State Democratic Committees, to put a plan together to make deep investments in our state parties. And as a result, our state party infrastructure is stronger than it’s ever been.

Running for this position right now is really the opportunity, after a disastrous election cycle, to actually supercharge the DNC. Get them out of DC, as I like to say. Focus on partnering with our 57 state parties (referring to both states and territories) on a plan to win elections in every zip code and up and down the ballot. And so I’m really excited about the opportunity.

NewsNation: What is your message as a candidate for DNC chair?

Martin: Well, let me say what my message is to Democrats. It's time to dust........

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