A Democratic National Committee panel found that David Hogg and another vice chair were not properly elected this year, setting off a process that could lead to Hogg’s ouster amid backlash to his plans to support primary challengers to House Democrats.

The Credentials Committee’s recommendation will get a vote from the full DNC membership. If approved, the two vice chair elections will be invalidated, and new elections will be held as soon as practicable. The new elections will be limited to the same five candidates who were eligible at the February vote.

The challenge to the election was filed more than two months ago — before Hogg’s announcement about primary challenges — by Kalyn Free, an Oklahoma activist who unsuccessfully sought one of the vice chair slots in the Feb. 1 election. She argued the DNC broke its rules on gender diversity in party officer elections, invalidating the election of Hogg and a second vice chair, Malcolm Kenyatta.......

“I am disappointed to learn that before I became Chair, there was a procedural error in the February Vice Chair elections. The Credentials Committee has issued their recommendation, and I trust that the DNC Members will carefully review the Committee’s resolution and resolve this matter fairly,” Martin said in a statement. “I thank all of our officers for their service, including Vice Chairs Kenyatta and Hogg, and look forward to continuing to work with them in their officer posts as this matter is resolved.”

Kenyatta said Monday night that framing the vote around Hogg is “nonsense” and that the story is not about Hogg “even though he clearly wants it to be.” He touted his own accomplishments as vice chair and said the committee’s decision was “a slap in my face.”