Labor Secretary Tom Perez on Thursday threw his name into the ring to serve as the new leader of the Democratic National Committee.
“The last month hasn’t been easy for Democrats,” Perez said on his website set up for his run for chairman. “But now isn’t the time to despair — it’s time to organize and fight. In the years ahead, we must strengthen our team, and our bench, from the ground up. And we must stand up to protect President Obama’s accomplishments.”
Perez will be seen as a real challenge to Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., who has so far been considered the front-runner in the race to replace Donna Brazile. Brazile served as interim chairwoman of the party after Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigned during the summer.
“Secretary Perez is a great public servant and I welcome him to the race,” Ellison said in a statement. “I look forward to discussing how Democrats can speak to all Americans, harness the grassroots to turn out the vote, and strengthen our state and local parties. We have shown the path to success in Minnesota, where organizing has made the difference in winning elections up and down the ballot. We can do the same thing nationwide if Democrats mobilize working Americans across the country – from AFL-CIO members to rank-and-file party activists.”
Perez was considered a possible running mate for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before she chose Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine.
