Photo by Lorie Shaull via Wikimedia Commons
Keith Ellison, the first American Muslim to be elected to the House of Representatives, has announced his candidacy for Democratic National Committee chairman, as Democrats seek to reconnect with grassroots following President-elect Donald Trump’s stunning November 9 election victory.
“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,” the Minnesota Democrat said in a statement.
Ellison has been able to garner support of 40 elected officials, state party chairmen and labor leaders including top leaderrs Sen. Bernie Sanders, Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.), , and Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) among other leaders.
“Democrats win when we harness the power of everyday people and fight for the issues they care about,” Ellison remarked.
“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. When voters know what Democrats stand for, we can improve the lives of all Americans.”
A Bernie Sanders supporter, Ellison minced no words in stating that the Democrats did not motivate enough people to the ballot box in last Tuesday’s election, where Hillary Clinton lost out to Republican Trump.
“We must champion the challenges of working families and give voters a reason to show up at the polls in 2018 and beyond,” he said. “We must build a bench not just for federal candidates, but for state and local candidates across the nation.”
ThinkProgress reported on Monday conservatives have already launched a smear campaign against Ellison, portraying him as a Muslim with ties to Nation of Islam.
The DNC members will elect the next chairman early next year to succeed interim chairwoman Donna Brazile. Among the main contenders is Howard Dean, a former Vermont governor, who led the party from 2005 to 2009.
