Ellison Announces Run For DNC Chair
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Rep. Keith Ellison announced Monday afternoon that he's running for the chair of the Democratic National Committee.
The announcement comes after the five-term Minneapolis congressman was endorsed for the post by Sens. Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer and Amy Klobuchar, and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid.
"Democrats win when we harness the power of everyday people and fight for the issues they care about," Ellison said in a statement. "It is not enough for Democrats to ask for voters' support every two years. We must be with them through every lost paycheck, every tuition hike, and every time they are the victim of a hate crime."
The congressman's running for the DNC post comes after Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton suffered a stunning loss to Republican Donald Trump, and as Democrats failed to take either house of Congress and lost seats in.
Sanders -- whose massive though ultimately unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination was built on a populist appeal -- was the first to float Ellison's name as a candidate for the job. Sanders said Ellison could help move the party away from fundraising that made it successful in the past, and more toward grassroots organizing that can help inspire and mobilize working-class voters to the polls.
We likely won't know who will head the DNC until sometime next year. For now, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile will continue to serve as the committee's interim chair.