Democrats formally elect Harrison as new DNC chair

Jaime Harrison, the former South Carolina Senate candidate who shattered fundraising records, has been elected as the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), succeeding Tom Perez as the party’s top officer.

Harrison, who mounted a high-profile yet ultimately unsuccessful bid to oust Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) last year, was President Biden’s choice for the top job at the DNC. He was elected in a near-unanimous vote at the group’s winter meeting Thursday afternoon.

“In spite of everything we’ve been through in the past year, I am excited, because today we are embarking on a new mission to build back better and bring hope back to this great nation,” Harrison said after the election results were announced.

In an acceptance speech, Harrison acknowledged that Democrats would face challenging election cycles in the coming years, given that the party now controls the White House and both chambers of Congress.