“What is the Democratic Party?”
A Zoom Conversation Ahead of the Midterm Elections with Holly Fechner '85 and John Lawrence '70, both of whom have worked for Democratic lawmakers
Moderated by Larry Jacobs '81, University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Donald Trump has upended the federal government and its workforce, the international trading system, and the world order that the United States promoted after the Second World War. In November 2025, the Democratic Party capitalized on the unpopularity of the President and his policies to win by surprisingly large margins and in races that were not considered in play – namely, the double-digit wins in Georgia’s statewide races for Public Service Commission. Running against Trump is expedient but what will be the vision, public philosophy, and policies of the Democratic Party? Will restoration be the theme in rolling back Trump or will the Party chart a new direction and, if so, what are its contours and who is shaping it?
Join the DC Club’s first Zoom program of 2026 for insight into prospects for the midterm elections.
MEET THE PANELISTS:
Holly Fechner ’85 is a partner at the firm Covington & Burling LLP. She leads teams that represent clients in significant policy and regulatory matters before Congress and the Executive Branch. Holly also is the Executive Director of Invent Together and a visiting lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She served as Policy Director for Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and as Chief Labor and Pensions Counsel for the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee. Holly majored in History at Oberlin and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School. She currently serves on the Oberlin Board of Trustees. Holy is married to Kevin Mills ’84.
John Lawrence ’70 is a Visiting Professor at the University of California’s Washington Center. He served for 38 years as a staff member in the U. S. House of Representatives, the last 8 as Chief of Staff to Speaker Nancy Pelosi. His books include "Arc of Power: Inside Nancy Pelosi's Speakership 2005-2010," "The Class of '74: Congress After Watergate and the Roots of Partisanship" and numerous history-based Sherlock Holmes mysteries including Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Revolutionary's Daughter. He blogs on Congress and politics at DOMEocracy. John majored in History at Oberlin and earned a PhD in History from the University of California Berkeley.
Larry Jacobs ’81 is the founder and Director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. He was appointed the Walter F. and Joan Mondale Chair for Political Studies at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs in 2005 where he holds the McKnight Presidential Chair. Larry is a prolific author and has offered commentary on American democracy, national and Minnesota elections, political communications, health care reform, and economic inequality. His most recent book is Democracy under Fire: Donald Trump and the Breaking of American History. At Oberlin, he majored in English and History. He earned his PhD in Political Science from Columbia University. Larry is married to Julie Schumacher’81, who also is on the faculty at the University of Minnesota.
