Tom Perez elected DNC chairman
ATLANTA (AP and KTVU) - Democrats have a new national party chairman and it's Tom Perez, who was labor secretary under President Barack Obama.
Perez won over Keith Ellison, a Minnesota congressman, in the second round of voting Saturday by Democratic National Committee members at their meeting in Atlanta.
President Trump tweeted in response to Perez's win saying, "Congratuation to Thomas Perez, who has just named chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican party!"
Perez responded by tweeting, "Call me Tom and don't get too happy. @KeithEllison and I , and democrats united across the country, will be your worst nightmare".
In a show of unity, Perez asked members to make Ellison the deputy.
Perez and Ellison each pledged to rebuild state and local parties, including in Republican-dominated states.
Both said the party must capitalize on widespread opposition to Trump but also work to reach frustrated working-class voters who felt abandoned Democrats and embraced Trump.
In order to secure the position, Perez had to receive more than 50% of the vote.