Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, now in the running for DNC Chair

By Nathan Guttman January 3, 2017

Labor Secretary Tom Perez is working to enlist Jewish support for his bid to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Perez held a conference call on December 21 with some 50 Jewish leaders in which, according to the Times of Israel, he presented his views and highlighted his close ties with he Anti-Defamation League. The ADL had criticized Perez’s chief rival for the job, Minnesota congressman Keith Ellison, for comments he had made in the past regarding Israel. Ellison argued that the comments were taken out of context.

Participants on the call, according to the report, viewed Perez’s message and delivery in a positive light. “The fact that someone named Tom Perez is able to sum up, in an emotional way, the connection of the Jewish community to the Democratic Party,” said Florida congressman Ted Deutch, “resonates and says a lot.” Another participant on the call was quoted as saying that while Perez comes with no previous baggage to the race, Ellison was forced to explain his positions on Israel when reaching out to Jewish Democrats.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“I thought Tom’s discussion of his values, his experience, and skill set was right on,” Democratic operative and Clinton adviser Ann Lewis told the Jewish Insider.

The vote for DNC chairmanship is scheduled for February 26. Ellison enjoys the backing of incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and of the left-leaning pro-Israel lobby J Street.

Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected]

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount