Outgoing Secretary of Labor Tom Perez asserted that Democrat’s greatest fight is protecting the United States from President-elect Donald Trump, according to an interview with Politico released Wednesday.
“I’ve worked very closely with everybody in every wing of the party because I’ve fought a lot of fights side-by-side with them,” Perez asserted. “The big tent of the Democratic Party is our greatest strength. I think there is an acute understanding that everybody has that the biggest challenge we have, not just as a party but as a nation to address the threats posed by Donald Trump.”
Perez is running to be the next Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair — opposing Rep. Keith Ellison for the position — a key post that will decide the future strategy of the party.
Ellison enjoys the support of Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, both members of the progressive arm of the Democratic Party. Democratic governors like John Hickenlooper, Terry McAuliffe, John Bel Edwards, and Gina Raimondo all formally endorsed Perez in December.
The more establishment wing of the Democratic Party is battling progressives for the soul of the party, but Perez wants Democrats to stay focused on the real threat to the country: Trump.
The position of DNC chair is ultimately a campaign position. Perez has never run for office, instead relying on positions that were appointed by others. He served as the assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice. He also served as the Maryland Department of Labor secretary.
Ellison has successfully run for his house seat three times.
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