VIDEO: Former Labor Secretary, Tom Perez Named DNC Chair

ABOVE VIDEO: Former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez has been elected the next chair of the Democratic National Committee, grabbing the reins of the political wing of the party and emerging as a key figure in the party’s opposition to President Donald Trump’s agenda.

(ABC NEWS) – Former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez has been elected the next chair of the Democratic National Committee, grabbing the reins of the political wing of the party and emerging as a key figure in the party’s opposition to President Donald Trump’s agenda.

More than 400 party insiders gathered in Atlanta this weekend to cast their ballots. The former Obama appointee will try to rally a party still reeling from its presidential election defeat and crippled by down-ballot losses across the country over the last decade.

Many in the party’s progressive wing had thrown their support behind Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, expressing their frustration with the status quo of the party. They felt strongly that Ellison better identified with the grassroots movement growing across the country in opposition to Trump.

Perez, who fell one ballot short shy of victory in the first round of voting, immediately appointed Ellison deputy chair of the DNC after it was announced that he had won.

“I need to tell you folks at the outset: I know that I have more questions than answers,” Perez told the crowd in a victory speech, reaching out to those who opposed his bid. “As a team, we will work together.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON ABC NEWS

Similar Stories