Clinton: Dems will be ‘strong, unified’ with Perez

Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton congratulated Tom Perez and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) on becoming the Democratic Party’s new chairman and deputy chair, respectively.

“Congrats to @DNC chair @TomPerez & deputy @keithellison. Excited for strong, unified party standing for best of our country into the future,” Clinton wrote on Twitter. 

Congrats to @DNC chair @TomPerez & deputy @keithellison. Excited for strong, unified party standing for best of our country into the future.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 25, 2017

{mosads}Perez, who served as former President Barack Obama’s Labor secretary in the second half of his administration, was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Saturday after two rounds of voting in Atlanta.

Following his victory, Perez asked that the DNC suspend the rules and allow his first motion to be nominating Ellison to the role of deputy chair.

The election had become a battle between establishment Democrats backing Perez – who had endorsed Clinton’s presidential campaign – and those from the more progressive wing of the party supporting Ellison, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Clinton’s opponent during the Democratic primary.

Former President Bill Clinton on Saturday also congratulated Perez and Ellison on their new positions.

“Congratulations to new DNC Chair Tom Perez, Keith Ellison, & the great field of candidates who ran. United Democrats are stronger Democrats,” he wrote on Twitter.

Congratulations to new DNC Chair Tom Perez, Keith Ellison, & the great field of candidates who ran. United Democrats are stronger Democrats.

— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) February 25, 2017