Interesting proxy battle about to happen which could be an indication on which way the party is heading.
Sanders backs Ellison for DNC chairman
By DANIEL STRAUSS
11/10/16 01:35 PM EST
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Sen. Bernie Sanders is backing Rep. Keith Ellison to be the next permanent chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Sanders's office confirmed.
"He is supporting Congressman Ellison for the DNC," Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs told POLITICO on Thursday.
Donald Trump's presidential victory has thrown the future of the DNC's leadership into uncertainty. With Democrats banking on the fact that Hillary Clinton would win the presidency, they assumed she would pick a successor to interim-DNC chairwoman Donna Brazile. But Trump's victory means there will instead be elections for the next DNC chair. Brazile has said that she does not want to stay on in the role full-time.
A number of Democrats have been suggested as possible replacements, including former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley. In the House, besides Ellison, Reps. Xavier Becerra and Steve Israel have also been mentioned, but they're considered longer shots given a reluctance to having another sitting member of Congress in the role after Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's troubled turn at the top.
The Minnesota congressman has been angling for the job, working back channels to position himself as a strong candidate to run the DNC. Ellison, a Sanders supporter when the Vermont senator ran for president, has previously discussed being DNC chair with Sanders.
"There have been conversations going on for some time," Briggs said.
The news of Sanders' Ellison endorsement was first reported by The Associated Press.
Sanders backs Ellison for DNC chairman
Sanders backs Ellison for DNC chairman
By DANIEL STRAUSS
11/10/16 01:35 PM EST
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Sen. Bernie Sanders is backing Rep. Keith Ellison to be the next permanent chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Sanders's office confirmed.
"He is supporting Congressman Ellison for the DNC," Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs told POLITICO on Thursday.
Donald Trump's presidential victory has thrown the future of the DNC's leadership into uncertainty. With Democrats banking on the fact that Hillary Clinton would win the presidency, they assumed she would pick a successor to interim-DNC chairwoman Donna Brazile. But Trump's victory means there will instead be elections for the next DNC chair. Brazile has said that she does not want to stay on in the role full-time.
A number of Democrats have been suggested as possible replacements, including former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley. In the House, besides Ellison, Reps. Xavier Becerra and Steve Israel have also been mentioned, but they're considered longer shots given a reluctance to having another sitting member of Congress in the role after Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's troubled turn at the top.
The Minnesota congressman has been angling for the job, working back channels to position himself as a strong candidate to run the DNC. Ellison, a Sanders supporter when the Vermont senator ran for president, has previously discussed being DNC chair with Sanders.
"There have been conversations going on for some time," Briggs said.
The news of Sanders' Ellison endorsement was first reported by The Associated Press.
Sanders backs Ellison for DNC chairman
get this former people's champ turned corporate lobbyist outta here. He was a good DNC chair, but the progressive base HATES hacks.