Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, announced Monday his candidacy to lead the DNC. (Photo: Center for American Progress/flickr/cc)
Nov 14, 2016
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), who recently received the public encouragement of Sen. Bernie Sanders and other progressives, announced Monday he will run to be the next chairperson of the Democratic National Committee.
"I am proud to announce my candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee, and if given the opportunity to serve, I will work tirelessly to make the Democratic Party an organization that brings us together and advances an agenda that improves people's lives," Ellison said in a statement.
Currently co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Ellison became one of the first and most outspoken members of congress to endorse Sanders' presidential run and later served on the Democratic Party's Platform Committee alongside other Sanders appointees.
In addition to Sanders and other progressive allies in the House, Ellison also received the endorsement of Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, and outgoing Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Utah.
With the Democratic Party reeling from its historic defeat at the polls last week, a groundswell of criticism has been directed at the so-called "Establishment Wing" of the DNC, which many blame for allowing Donald Trump to win. Writing for The Nation, John Nichols argued that Ellison--who he equated with the late congressman from Minnesota Paul Wellstone-- is exactly the right kind of person to now lead the DNC.
"Ellison has for months been engaged in behind-the-scenes discussions about the future of the party, and its chairmanship," Nichols reported. "Through it all, he has argued that the party must change. He has spoken not just to Sanders backers but also to key Clinton backers, to insiders and outsiders. And he has talked a lot about the Wellstone model of constant, at-the-grassroots organizing rather than a politics of money and poll-tested talking points."
Though Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and top surrogate of Clinton during her campaign who previously held the DNC post, said last week he will also run, progressive critics have said that would be a step backward for the party:
\u201cThe choice of Keith Ellison v. Howard Dean as DNC Chair is such a perfect test of whether Dems learned anything https://t.co/ZapYx9Q26G\u201d— Glenn Greenwald (@Glenn Greenwald) 1478866140
\u201cKeith Ellison or Howard Dean - Who Can Lead The DNC Effectively? @farronbalanced\u201d— The Ring of Fire (@The Ring of Fire) 1478963705
Shortly after the announcement, MSNBC's Chris Hayes said Ellison would be joining him Monday evening for a televised interview:
\u201cTonight, @keithellison will give his first interview since declaring his DNC candidacy tonight on @allinwithchris. #inners\u201d— Chris Hayes (@Chris Hayes) 1479155535
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
chris hayescongressional progressive caucusdemocratic partyelizabeth warrenjohn nicholskeith ellisonpaul wellstone
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), who recently received the public encouragement of Sen. Bernie Sanders and other progressives, announced Monday he will run to be the next chairperson of the Democratic National Committee.
"I am proud to announce my candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee, and if given the opportunity to serve, I will work tirelessly to make the Democratic Party an organization that brings us together and advances an agenda that improves people's lives," Ellison said in a statement.
Currently co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Ellison became one of the first and most outspoken members of congress to endorse Sanders' presidential run and later served on the Democratic Party's Platform Committee alongside other Sanders appointees.
In addition to Sanders and other progressive allies in the House, Ellison also received the endorsement of Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, and outgoing Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Utah.
With the Democratic Party reeling from its historic defeat at the polls last week, a groundswell of criticism has been directed at the so-called "Establishment Wing" of the DNC, which many blame for allowing Donald Trump to win. Writing for The Nation, John Nichols argued that Ellison--who he equated with the late congressman from Minnesota Paul Wellstone-- is exactly the right kind of person to now lead the DNC.
"Ellison has for months been engaged in behind-the-scenes discussions about the future of the party, and its chairmanship," Nichols reported. "Through it all, he has argued that the party must change. He has spoken not just to Sanders backers but also to key Clinton backers, to insiders and outsiders. And he has talked a lot about the Wellstone model of constant, at-the-grassroots organizing rather than a politics of money and poll-tested talking points."
Though Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and top surrogate of Clinton during her campaign who previously held the DNC post, said last week he will also run, progressive critics have said that would be a step backward for the party:
\u201cThe choice of Keith Ellison v. Howard Dean as DNC Chair is such a perfect test of whether Dems learned anything https://t.co/ZapYx9Q26G\u201d— Glenn Greenwald (@Glenn Greenwald) 1478866140
\u201cKeith Ellison or Howard Dean - Who Can Lead The DNC Effectively? @farronbalanced\u201d— The Ring of Fire (@The Ring of Fire) 1478963705
Shortly after the announcement, MSNBC's Chris Hayes said Ellison would be joining him Monday evening for a televised interview:
\u201cTonight, @keithellison will give his first interview since declaring his DNC candidacy tonight on @allinwithchris. #inners\u201d— Chris Hayes (@Chris Hayes) 1479155535
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), who recently received the public encouragement of Sen. Bernie Sanders and other progressives, announced Monday he will run to be the next chairperson of the Democratic National Committee.
"I am proud to announce my candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee, and if given the opportunity to serve, I will work tirelessly to make the Democratic Party an organization that brings us together and advances an agenda that improves people's lives," Ellison said in a statement.
Currently co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Ellison became one of the first and most outspoken members of congress to endorse Sanders' presidential run and later served on the Democratic Party's Platform Committee alongside other Sanders appointees.
In addition to Sanders and other progressive allies in the House, Ellison also received the endorsement of Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, and outgoing Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Utah.
With the Democratic Party reeling from its historic defeat at the polls last week, a groundswell of criticism has been directed at the so-called "Establishment Wing" of the DNC, which many blame for allowing Donald Trump to win. Writing for The Nation, John Nichols argued that Ellison--who he equated with the late congressman from Minnesota Paul Wellstone-- is exactly the right kind of person to now lead the DNC.
"Ellison has for months been engaged in behind-the-scenes discussions about the future of the party, and its chairmanship," Nichols reported. "Through it all, he has argued that the party must change. He has spoken not just to Sanders backers but also to key Clinton backers, to insiders and outsiders. And he has talked a lot about the Wellstone model of constant, at-the-grassroots organizing rather than a politics of money and poll-tested talking points."
Though Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and top surrogate of Clinton during her campaign who previously held the DNC post, said last week he will also run, progressive critics have said that would be a step backward for the party:
\u201cThe choice of Keith Ellison v. Howard Dean as DNC Chair is such a perfect test of whether Dems learned anything https://t.co/ZapYx9Q26G\u201d— Glenn Greenwald (@Glenn Greenwald) 1478866140
\u201cKeith Ellison or Howard Dean - Who Can Lead The DNC Effectively? @farronbalanced\u201d— The Ring of Fire (@The Ring of Fire) 1478963705
Shortly after the announcement, MSNBC's Chris Hayes said Ellison would be joining him Monday evening for a televised interview:
\u201cTonight, @keithellison will give his first interview since declaring his DNC candidacy tonight on @allinwithchris. #inners\u201d— Chris Hayes (@Chris Hayes) 1479155535
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.