Labor Secretary Tom Perez officially joins DNC chairperson race

Labor Secretary Tom Perez officially announced his campaign for Democratic National Committee chairman Thursday. "The last month hasn't been easy for Democrats," he wrote in the announcement on his website. "But now isn't the time to despair — it's time to organize and fight."

Perez joins Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.); Jaime Harrison, chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party; and Ray Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, in the race. Harrison called Perez a "good friend" and a "great Democrat," and Buckley said he's "confident by the time the DNC meets in 10 weeks, the party will have had ample opportunity to hear our plans and participate in an open and vibrant process."

Ellison has been endorsed publicly by 15 state party chairs and vice chairs as well as by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).