US Congressman Ellison Announces Bid for Democratic Party Chairman

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Representative Keith Ellison is officially a candidate for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), a statement from the congressman announced.

"I am proud to announce my candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee,” Ellison said in the statement. “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’s candidacy has been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who unsuccessfully sought the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, along with other prominent lawmakers from the party — Senators Charles Schumer, Elizabeth Warren and Harry Reid, along with Representative Raul Grijalva.

If supported by Democrats in Congress and other political offices, Ellison would replace interim chairwoman Donna Brazile. She took over the DNC after WikiLeaks released emails showing that committee officials worked to ensure Hillary Clinton was the party’s presidential nominee, at Sanders’ expense.

Clinton’s electoral-college loss to Republican Donald Trump in the November 8 election has thrown the Democratic establishment into tumult, including criticisms over campaign strategy and messaging.