The **Democratic National Committee (DNC)** is the central governing body of the U.S. Democratic Party, established in 1848 during the Democratic National Convention. It is the oldest continuing party committee in the United States and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.[1][3][7][8] The DNC’s primary role is to organize and coordinate strategy to support Democratic candidates at local, state, and national levels, including presidential campaigns. It manages fundraising, conducts polling and electoral research, drafts the party platform, and orchestrates the Democratic National Convention held every four years to nominate presidential and vice-presidential candidates[1][3][5]. The DNC does not have direct authority over elected officials but works closely with state and local Democratic committees, as well as national legislative committees such as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Its approximately 450 members include state party chairs and vice chairs, elected officials, and Democratic leaders, apportioned according to voting populations across states and territories[3][8]. Historically, the DNC has been crucial in shaping the Democratic Party’s ideology and electoral strategies. A notable controversy occurred in 2016 when leaked emails revealed bias within the DNC favoring Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders during the presidential primary, leading to the resignation of then-chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz[3]. This incident highlighted cybersecurity vulnerabilities and party transparency issues. Currently, under Chair Ken Martin, the DNC focuses on mobilizing voters nationwide and strengthening state party organizations, emphasizing grassroots engagement and data-driven campaign strategies. The committee's work is integral to modern political campaigning, combining traditional organizing with technology-enabled voter outreach and fundraising efforts[4][8]. In sum, the DNC is a pivotal political organization that governs party operations, supports Democratic candidates, and adapts to evolving political and technological landscapes to influence U.S. elections.