The field of candidates to lead the Democratic National Committee could include Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander. State Rep. Kip Kendrick (D-Columbia) has nominated Kander via social media as the next DNC chairperson. A Twitter handle, @JasonKander4DNC, has been launched.

State Rep. Kip Kendrick (D-Columbia)

State Rep. Kip Kendrick (D-Columbia)

“He (Kander) clearly was speaking to a much broader audience than a lot of Democrats across the state,” says Kendrick. “We have to listen. We have to lead and it’s that next generation that’s going to do it. Jason is, in my opinion, is best suited to take on that role.”

In Missouri, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton by 19 points. Republican Senator Roy Blunt defeated Kander by three points to retain his seat in the U.S. Senate. Kendrick says Kander’s campaign message resonated with Missourians.

“So many independent voters, Democrats and some Republican voters as well, appreciated what he (Kander) had to say. I think that needs to be taken into strong consideration by the national party,” says Kendrick. “We need a new generation to step up to the plate and lead this party. I think it is very clear after Tuesday that Democrats were not pushing a message that resonated, not just here in Missouri but across the entire nation.”

Jason Kander

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander

Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigned in July after emails surfaced showing that she favored presidential candidate Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination.

Other possible DNC chair candidates include U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, South Carolina party chair Jaime Harrison, New Hampshire party chair Ray Buckley and former DNC Chair Howard Dean.