The 50-state strategy is one that former DNC Chair Howard Dean subscribed to during his tenure from 2005 to 2009. The strategy committed money and helped build up party infrastructure in every state, even those that reliably voted Republican in presidential races, to create Democratic victories at all levels of government.

Ken Martin, head of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, announced Tuesday that he is running for the job. He begins the contest with support from 83 members of the DNC, he said, almost one-fifth of the body. Martin confirmed his candidacy in a text to POLITICO. It was first reported by the New York Times.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, a onetime presidential candidate, announced he is entering the fray. But many more names are already circulating.