New Jerseyan Mike Embrich seeks DNC board seat

Michael Embrich, a decorated U.S. Navy veteran and longtime advocate for veterans from Bayonne, has joined the race to fill an open Democratic National Committee executive board seat.

A former policy advisor to U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie, Embrich enlisted in the Navy in 2000 after graduating from Bayonne High School.  He served aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He’s frequently written for Rolling Stone.

Embrich said he is running to “have a decisive voice” in shaping the Democratic Party’s platform on veterans and military families issues in advance of the 2026 and 2028 elections.

“If the landslide victory of Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill showed us anything, it’s that the old party playbook has failed. We need a new way forward,” said Embrich. “We have no one to blame but ourselves for Donald Trump—and we have an obligation to do better for the American people.”

The election will be held when the DNC meets in New Orleans in April.

“Michael Embrich has been a tireless advocate for veterans and military families, and his commitment to service truly reflects our Democratic values. During the New Jersey governor’s race, he played a pivotal role in engaging and mobilizing our Veterans Caucus, ensuring veterans’ voices were heard and represented throughout the campaign,” said New Jersey Democratic State Chairman LeRoy Jones, Jr.  “ I am proud to support his candidacy and look forward to the impact he will continue to make on behalf of veterans and military families across the country, just as he has continuously done here in New Jersey.”

Embrich also touted endorsements from State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) and Hudson County Executive and Democratic County Chairman Craig Guy.

“I’ve known Michael Embrich for more than 20 years and have worked with him on a number of elections. His commitment to service has never wavered. He served our country honorably and has been an extraordinary advocate for veterans ever since,” said Gopal.  “Michael shows up for the Democratic Party year after year, and in 2025 he worked tirelessly to rally veterans in support of the entire Democratic Party ticket.”

Guy called Embrich “a stellar example of sincere hard work and faith.”

“The DNC Veterans and Military Families Council and caucuses, which currently have fewer powers and resources than other DNC caucuses, have a real opportunity to re-engage and win back veterans and their families who have too often turned to the GOP,” stated Embrich.  “I am committed to ensuring that DNC leadership treats this mission with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.”

Embrich is a former State Commander of the New Jersey Catholic War Veterans and on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans.  He has also volunteered on a Congressional and U.S. Senate Military Academy Nominations Panel for New Jersey, focusing on U.S. Naval Academy candidates.   He served on the Governor’s Transition Team for military and veterans affairs, and served as Deputy Chief of Public Affairs for the U.S. Army and as the U.S. Treasury Taxpayer Advocate for New Jersey.