Minnesota's Keith Ellison Announces Bid for DNC Chair

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — After receiving numerous endorsements from top Democrats across the country, Keith Ellison, the five-term Congressman from Minnesota, officially announced his candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee Monday. Ellison, whose district includes Minneapolis, was the first Muslim elected to Congress.

Following Hillary Clinton's loss to Donald Trump in the presidential election, Ellison is being eyeballed as someone who could help the Democratic Party refocus and prioritize the needs of average Americans. Ellison's progressive bona fides include his endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders for president last year and his co-chairmanship of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the former chairwoman of the DNC, resigned from her post this summer. The Florida congresswoman's resignation came after a series of emails released by WikiLeaks allegedly showed the DNC was working to undermine the campaign of former Democratic presidential candidate Sanders. Donna Brazile is the current interim DNC chairwoman, but she has indicated she does not want the job long-term.

Ellison was one of the first Democrats to recognize Trump as having a serious chance at winning the presidency. In his July 2015 appearance on ABC's "This Week," Ellison warned Democrats that they "better be ready for the fact that [Trump] might be leading the Republican ticket."

"I know you don't believe that," responded host George Stephanopoulos, as he and other panelists laughed at the notion.

"You know, George, we had Jesse Ventura in Minnesota win the governorship," Ellison replied. "Nobody thought he was going to win. I'm telling you, stranger things have happened."

Ellison struck a populist tone in the announcement of his candidacy for DNC chair, saying in a statement that, "Democrats win when we harness the power of everyday people and fight for the issues they care about. It is not enough for Democrats to ask for voters' support every two years."

“This election cycle, we did not motivate enough people to the ballot box," Ellison added.

"We must champion the challenges of working families and give voters a reason to show up at the polls in 2018 and beyond. We must build a bench not just for federal candidates, but for state and local candidates across the nation."

“I am proud to announce my candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee, and if given the opportunity to serve, I will work tirelessly to make the Democratic Party an organization that brings us together and advances an agenda that improves people’s lives.”

Ellison appears to be the frontrunner for the job after receiving the endorsements of top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is expected to succeed Reid as senate minority leader next year.

Sanders was among the first Democrats to announce his support of Ellison for the DNC position, noting the party's need to reconnect with average Americans.

“You can’t tell working people you’re on their side while at the same time you’re raising money from Wall Street and the billionaire class,” Sanders told the Washington Post. “The Democratic Party has to be focused on grass-roots America and not wealthy people attending cocktail parties.”

The next DNC chair will be elected by party officials.

Image via AFGE, Flickr, used under Creative Commons