Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison told Democratic National Committee members he is in “excellent position to win” the race to lead the party, criticizing an “unverifiable” whip count released by his top rival, Tom Perez.
Perez, a former Labor secretary, emailed members this week to tell them he has support from 180 of the 447 voting members of the DNC, which would mean he is closing in on the needed majority. But Perez’s team is not publicly releasing a list of supporters, leading Ellison to claim that the numbers can’t be proven. “One of the other great candidates for this race released an unverifiable public whip count earlier this week. You received a voicemail, email and a text message trying to make the race sound like it is over. And the goal is clear: to exert pressure on you,” Ellison wrote in his own letter to DNC members on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT”We chose not to engage in the same tactics because we believe you deserve the respect to make your own decision without a finger on the scale. However, I feel compelled to respond: we are very confident in our whip count and are in an excellent position to win next week.” Most of the seven major candidates for the DNC chair spot have been tight-lipped with their whip count, but Ellison has announced more public support than Perez. The Minnesota Democrat came out of the gate strong, gathering endorsements from influential Democrats such as former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerOvernight Health Care: US showing signs of retreat in battle against COVID-19 | Regeneron begins clinical trials of potential coronavirus antibody treatment | CMS warns nursing homes against seizing residents’ stimulus checks Schumer requests briefing with White House coronavirus task force as cases rise Schumer on Trump’s tweet about 75-year-old protester: He ‘should go back to hiding in the bunker’ MORE (N.Y.). But Perez, who announced his bid weeks later, has won major endorsements from Democrats including former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE and former Attorney General Eric HolderEric Himpton HolderTrump official criticizes ex-Clinton spokesman over defunding police tweet Obama to speak about George Floyd in virtual town hall GOP group launches redistricting site MORE. Perez’s campaign issued a brief statement in response to Ellison’s letter. “We are proud of the broad support we’ve received, but it’s clear that this race is far from over. Tom will spend the next 10 days traveling across the country to talk to Democrats about rebuilding our party,” the statement said. Both are seen as the frontrunners, although a deadlocked race could go to multiple ballots and provide the potential for another candidate to ultimately emerge victorious. The party will vote during the DNC meeting in Atlanta next Saturday. This story was updated at 3:19 p.m.
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