Perez defeats Ellison for DNC chair, Ellison appointed deputy chair

Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez won the vote for the DNC Chair, beating Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota by 35 votes.

Soon after winning the race, Perez made a motion and appointed Ellison deputy chair.

Labor Secretary Tom Perez was backed by members of President Barack Obama’s administration. 

Ellison currently represents Minnesota’s fifth district. He had received endorsements from Vermont Senator Bernie Sander and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Friday night, former NFL wide receiver Anquan Boldin came to stump for Ellison.

Ellison said if he won the DNC race, he would resign from his House seat.

Both Perez and Ellison said they want to reconnect with voters at the state and local level and to be an aggressive counter to President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.