› Tennessee Democrats back Tom Perez to lead the party,
NASHVILLE — Former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez is the unanimous choice of all five Tennessee members of the Democratic National Committee for the party’s new chairman, said state party Chairwoman Mary Mancini.
In a news release, Mancini also rejected characterizations the showdown this weekend in Atlanta between Perez and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., represents a split in the party, saying both men are staunch progressives.
“I want to make this clear: This decision should not be viewed as a ‘wing vs.-wing’ fight, and anyone who characterizes it as such is playing into the hands of those who benefit from perpetuating the idea that the Democratic Party is divided,” Mancini said.
The reality, Mancini said, “is that this was a hard choice between a number of solid progressive candidates all with track records of positive organizational development and grassroots campaign experience.”
Perez, the son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, has picked up the endorsements of former Vice President Joe Biden as well as former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Perez endorsed Hillary Clinton during the Democratic primary and was considered as her running mate.
Ellison, who is black and was the first Muslim elected to Congress, has been a favorite of many grassroots progressives. He backed Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in the Democratic presidential primary but supported Clinton in the general election.
He has support from Sanders, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Today’s contest, which also includes a number of lesser-known candidates, will be settled by 447 voting members, including elected officials, state party chairs, donors, functionaries and activists.
Mancini noted Perez’s platform includes increasing resources to state parties
everywhere and working to begin rebuilding a “deep bench of candidates
from local elections up through federal” contests.
“The vision we have for moving forward is one where we will strengthen our team and our bench from the ground up and listen to voters in every area of this state,” Mancini said. “Secretary Perez agrees with our vision and has the skills to make that vision a reality.”
Ellison also envisions more of a grassroots focus in the 50 states if he is elected.
Besides Mancini, other Tennessee members of the Democratic National Committee are Tennessee Democratic Party Vice Chairman John Litz and three at-large members: Gale Jones-Carson of Memphis, Will Cheek of Nashville and Bill Owen of Knoxville.