Saying the Democratic Party needs a leader making a “full-time commitment,” Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) told news outlets Wednesday that he would leave his congressional seat if he wins the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
The 53-year-old Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair formally announced his candidacy for DNC chair last month, days after easily winning his sixth term.
Just ahead of that announcement, Ellison said, “the most important criteria for a DNC chair is going to be vision […] and the ability to mobilize and inspire people at the grassroots.”
In his new statement, Ellison, who can count Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) among his progressive backers, said that “the Democratic Party must be the party that delivers for working people. We can do that by meeting folks where they are, looking them in the eye, treating them with respect, and working to solve their problems. For me, that means a chair with only one full-time commitment.”
“Serving my neighbors in Congress and fighting for them has been the best job I’ve ever had,” he said. “Whether it was for immigration reform, workers’ rights, gender equity, or social justice, we stood side by side so that every person in America … is treated with respect and given every opportunity to succeed. Until the DNC chair election, I plan to continue doing just that,” he added.
He would “be ‘all-in’ to meet the challenge” the position poses, he said, adding, “In order to further their commitment and maximize my effectiveness, I have decided to resign as a member of Congress if I win the election for DNC chair.”
In making that promise, Ellison eliminates what some deemed a “hurdle” for winning the race.
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