"Many candidates have spoken about these issues, but Keith’s commitment to the states and a transparent and accountable DNC has stood out,” Raymond Buckley said in a statement. | AP Photo Buckley shakes up DNC race with Ellison endorsement

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley dropped out of the race for the Democratic National Committee chairmanship on Saturday, endorsing Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison in a move that shakes up the contest to lead the party.

If Ellison wins the vote in Atlanta next week, Buckley — who currently leads the Association of State Democratic Chairs — is expected to play a large role in helping lead the state parties' operations. The move, long rumored among the 447 voting members of the party, gives Ellison new strength heading into the homestretch as he campaigns against fellow front-runner Tom Perez, the former Secretary of Labor.


“From the moment I stepped into this race, I made it clear that the top two priorities of the next DNC Chair must be to strengthen state parties and reform the DNC. Now, many candidates have spoken about these issues, but Keith’s commitment to the states and a transparent and accountable DNC has stood out,” Buckley said in a statement. "He knows elections are not won and lost in the beltway, but on the ground across the country. His plan, in fact, shared many of the same ideas and principles as my own."

“The model that Ray has built in New Hampshire and his work as the President of the ASDC is something that we need as we rebuild all 57 state parties,” added Ellison. "When we have a successful outcome in Atlanta next week, I have asked him to lead our effort to provide the support and resources the state parties need in a new and innovative 57 state strategy."

South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Sally Boynton Brown, South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and television commentator Jehmu Greene also remain in the race.

The news was first reported by NBC News.