DNC chair candidate: Position should be full-time job
The chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, who is vying to be the next head of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), said leading the party should be a full-time job and not held by an elected official.
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Jaime Harrison is the latest contender to enter the DNC race — he announced on MSNBC Monday night that he’s mounting a run for the job.
Harrison said the chairmanship would be his only commitment and an around-the-clock responsibility.
“I will be committed,” Harrison told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Tuesday afternoon. “I will do nothing other than focusing on this 24/7.”
Democrats are looking to a shakeup at the DNC to help rebuild the party after devastating losses last week both at the top of the ticket and in Congress.
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who ran for president in 2004, is likewise arguing that the chairmanship should be full-time role.
Dean served as DNC chairman from 2005 to 2009, overseeing major Democratic gains and trumpeting a 50-state strategy.
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) officially announced his run on Monday and goes into the race as the favorite. He has scored high-profile endorsements from Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.), both progressive icons, as well as retiring Minority Leader Harry ReidHarry Mason ReidHarry Reid says he’s cancer free White House gets jolt from strong jobs report Murkowski, Mattis criticism ratchets up pressure on GOP over Trump MORE (D-Nev.) and his expected successor, Sen. Charles SchumerChuck SchumerOvernight Health Care: US showing signs of retreat in battle against COVID-19 | Regeneron begins clinical trials of potential coronavirus antibody treatment | CMS warns nursing homes against seizing residents’ stimulus checks Schumer requests briefing with White House coronavirus task force as cases rise Schumer on Trump’s tweet about 75-year-old protester: He ‘should go back to hiding in the bunker’ MORE (D-N.Y.).
Other potential contenders who have either expressed interest or have been floated as possible candidates are Vice President Biden, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Labor Secretary Tom Perez, Reps. Ruben Gallego (Ariz.) and Xavier BecerraXavier BecerraOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Park Police chief insists tear gas wasn’t used despite reports| Energy headquarters to reopen next week OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump official violated ethics rules in seeking EPA job for relative, watchdog finds| Trump administration aims to buy uranium for reserve ‘as soon as possible,’ official says| 18 states fight conservative think tank effort to freeze fue 18 states fight conservative think tank effort to freeze fuel efficiency standards MORE (Calif.), and DNC National Finance Chairman Henry Muñoz III.
Harrison acknowledged the Democratic heavyweights who are backing Ellison but said he’s engaging with those who will vote on DNC chair and noted that his focus will go beyond Washington, D.C., and spread to communities nationwide.
“It’s great to have endorsements from the leaders … but it’s important to talk to the people who vote on DNC chair,” Harrison said.
“My main talking point is transitioning the Democratic Party from a political organization to a community organization,” he continued. “We need to go back to doing what we used to do very well: getting into the community, building it up.”
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