The former transportation secretary had been weighing a run for governor or a 2028 presidential campaign, which he could still pursue.

Without control of the White House or Congress, the new DNC chair, Minnesota's Ken Martin, will lead a Democratic Party that is still figuring out its future after a bruising election.

Without control of the White House or Congress, the new DNC chair will lead the campaign arm of a Democratic Party that is still figuring out how to move on from rejection at the ballot box.