Former President Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon Trump appointees stymie recommendations to boost minority voting: report Obama's first presidential memoir, 'A Promised Land,' set for November release MORE congratulated his former Labor Secretary Tom Perez on Saturday for winning the race to become the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

"I know that Tom Perez will unite us under that banner of opportunity, and lay the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leadership for this big, bold, inclusive, dynamic America we love so much," Obama said in a statement.

Obama never explicitly endorsed a candidate in the DNC race. But Perez won the backing of other Obama administration officials, including former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenCast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response Biden tells CNN town hall that he has benefited from white privilege MORE.

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Perez served as Labor secretary through most of Obama's second term. He beat out Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) for the DNC chairmanship on Saturday, scoring a major win for the Democratic Party's establishment wing.