Former Attorney General Eric Holder endorsed Tom Perez’s bid to be the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee, saying he has the experience and skills needed to revitalize the party.

Following the 2016 election, Mr. Holder said Mr. Perez is a proven fighter and said he is confident he can unite Democrats.

“I truly have great respect for all of the candidates running for DNC chair, but as we wage an epic battle for the heart and soul of our nation, I strongly believe that Tom Perez is the progressive fighter and change agent we need to lead the Democratic party and to rebuild the party infrastructure in the states,” Mr. Holder said in a statement. “I’m confident Tom is up to the tasks that will confront the next DNC Chair. I endorse him with great enthusiasm.”

Mr. Perez served under Mr. Holder at the Department of Justice as assistant attorney general for civil rights, and was former President Barack Obama’s secretary of labor.

Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden endorsed Mr. Perez last week.

In his statement, Mr. Holder said Mr. Perez has pushed back against former Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio on immigration, fought against tighter Voter ID laws and stood up to Wall Street.

“Tom fights hard for what he believes in, and I have seen it firsthand. Tom was an indispensable part of my team at the Department of Justice. It was not simply what he did, but how he did it that was impressive,” Mr. Holder said. “He turned around the civil rights division by building an inclusive team, building partnerships inside and outside the Department, and empowering everyone with whom he worked.”

Sign up for Daily Newsletters Manage Newsletters

Copyright © 2020 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.