CLEVELAND, Ohio — Tom Perez’s bid to lead the Democratic National Committee got a boost Tuesday from Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper.
“To win states like Ohio, Democrats must have a leader who can rebuild our party, reach out to our big tent and refocus our message on creating real economic opportunity for Americans in rural counties, small cities and our urban centers,” Pepper said in endorsing the former Department of Labor secretary.
“Tom Perez can do just that. Tom combines the unique experience of having successfully led large, complex organizations, with a strong progressive record of accomplishment on issue after issue. He understands the need for robust state parties to play the central role in an effective progressive infrastructure and the importance of building a true partnership between the national party and state parties in order to win elections at all levels. And, Tom is a fighter, someone who has never backed away from a challenge and the consummate public servant.”
Perez is one of seven contenders for the DNC chairmanship. The others running are Sally Boynton Brown, executive director of the Idaho Democratic Party; New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley; Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind.; Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota; television commentator Jehmu Greene; and South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison.
Pepper said he chose Perez from a “a strong group of candidates” and plans to lobby support among other state party chairs and DNC members. But Pepper’s backing is not an official endorsement by the Ohio Democratic Party. He is one of 11 Buckeye State activists who will cast a vote at the DNC meeting this month in Atlanta.
The state party has hosted DNC candidates in recent weeks. Following his visit last month, Perez had high praise for Pepper. “David Pepper is a great leader,” he told cleveland.com then. “I appreciate the fact that the party did a very good job of understanding what happened in November. Nobody has their head in the sand.”
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