Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden on Wednesday endorsed former Labor Secretary Tom Perez’s bid to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Mr. Biden called Mr. Perez “a man of integrity and vision.”
“We have a lot of good people vying for this important job,” Mr. Biden said in a statement. “But I do think for this moment and in this time, Tom Perez is our best bet to help bring the party back. I’ve watched him work. I think I know his heart. That’s why I endorse him as the next chairman of the DNC.”
Mr. Biden said Mr. Perez connects with people from all walks of life.
“Most of all — Tom knows how to talk to people, not down to them,” he said. “He knows how to explain why our party’s core beliefs matter to the immigrant family in Arizona and the coal miner in West Virginia. That matters.”
The endorsement comes as the contenders for the top post at the DNC prepare to gather in Detroit for the third of four scheduled “future forum” events.
Mr. Perez has long been viewed as former President Barack Obama’s preferred candidate in the contest, which will be decided by 447 DNC members later this month in Atlanta.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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