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Caitlin Ogden challenges Jay Jacobs for New York State Democratic Party chair
Caitlin Ogden, the Democratic chair of Otsego County, has announced a bid to become the next chair of the New York State Democratic Party, marking the first time in years that longtime chair Jay Jacobs faces a formal challenger. Jacobs, who also leads the Nassau County Democratic Party, has held the state party role across two separate tenures since 2009, serving under three governors. His leadership has drawn recurring criticism from progressive factions within the party, who argue that the organization has not built a consistent, year-round infrastructure to support candidates up and down the ballot.
Ogden, once a supporter of Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado's challenge to Gov. Kathy Hochul, now says she wants to expand Hochul's efforts to strengthen statewide organizing. She cited problems in 2022, when local committees in her county received little to no coordinated help from Albany or the state party, including delays in campaign materials and signage. While she acknowledges improvements since then, she says staffing and support remain inconsistent, even in key battleground areas.
Jacobs defended his record, pointing to a $1 million grant program for county committees and procedural changes that allow more debate at party meetings. He also questioned the financial feasibility of Ogden's vision, noting that the current coordinated campaign budget runs between $6 million and $8 million and that funding continuous year-round operations would be difficult. The state Democratic Party's elected committee members will vote on the chair on Oct. 1, deciding whether Jacobs remains or Ogden's challenge succeeds.