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President-elect Joe Biden chose Jaime Harrison, the former Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from South Carolina who raised record-breaking sums in his failed attempt to oust GOP Senator Lindsey Graham, to lead the Democratic National Committee, announced Thursday the transition team.
Harrison was one of many DNC officers announced by the transition team on Thursday, including three women who were on Mr Biden’s shortlist for the post of vice president. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has been chosen as Vice President of Civic Engagement and Voter Protection, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for Vice President and Senator Tammy Duckworth for Vice President .
The other selections were Rep Filemon Vela Jr. for Vice President, Jason Rae for Secretary, Virginia McGregor for Treasurer and Chris Korge for President of National Finance.
In a statement, Biden called his choices “the best of the Democratic Party.”
Traditionally, a new Democratic president can choose who should chair the DNC and the choice is usually approved with little opposition from party leaders.
Harrison, 44, is the former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, a former senior DNC official and a close friend of the House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, Democrat of South Carolina, for whom he once worked. Clyburn has become an even more influential Democratic Party broker after helping revive his good friend Mr Biden’s presidential campaign with an 11th-hour endorsement ahead of South Carolina’s Democratic presidential primary last February. Harrison did not return requests for comment Thursday.
Tom Perez, the current president of the DNC, has not sought another term.
Harrison’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate was once viewed as unlikely, but polls last summer put him on a par or slightly ahead of Graham, who had never faced a well-funded Democratic opponent. Harrison ultimately lost by 10 points, but raised $ 132 million for his campaign, making his candidacy one of the highest-funded ever among Democratic contenders for Congress.
The president-elect has long-standing ties to Palmetto State, where he has vacationed in the past and was close to the late Senator Fritz Hollings and was a frequent collaborator with the state’s longtime Republican Senator, Strom Thurmond.
Mr. Biden will also have a say in the choice of other leadership positions, including five vice presidents. Those slots should be filled by elected officials, said one of those familiar with the process.
The DNC, which includes hundreds of members, including presidents of state parties, is due to hold its annual winter meeting on January 21.
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