New York Mayor Bill de Blasio threw his support behind Democratic Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison to be the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee Wednesday.
“The Democratic Party stands at a crossroads, and needs leadership that will expand our vision to more Americans—while also intensifying our commitment to our core values. Keith Ellison is that leader,” de Blasio said, adding that Ellison increased election participation in Minnesota, which Clinton just narrowly won during the presidential election.
“A passionate fighter for economic fairness, he will pursue an opportunity agenda for Americans who have felt left behind; a unifier who worked tirelessly for both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, he will bring the party and the grassroots together while broadening and deepening the Democratic Party’s connections to the American people.”
De Blasio added, “Keith Ellison is the leader we need to defend our principles, move the party forward and begin to take our country back from a dangerous right-wing agenda. I am proud to endorse him for DNC Chairman.”
Ellison returned the praise stating, “Democrats win elections by bringing people together for a single cause, and nobody knows that better than New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. I am proud to have his endorsement for DNC Chair.”
The New York State GOP Chairman Ed Cox, however, called de Blasio’s endorsement a “slap in the face to the more than one million Jews who live in New York City,” referencing Ellison’s more controversial past in relation to Israel.
Cox said in a statement, “Congressman Ellison’s long history of anti-Semitic leanings and anti-Israel positions are disqualifying and should be of deep concern to all Americans. Despite losing the White House, majorities in both houses of Congress, blue-state governorships, and state legislative majorities across the country, the Democratic Party continues its dramatic lurch to the far-left. It’s clear from this endorsement that Bill de Blasio is more concerned with his ambitions of becoming a national progressive figure than his relationship with one of one of New York’s largest constituencies.”
