

@PatriciaMazzei

A few days before the Democratic National Committee is slated to pick its next chairman, one group of Florida Democrats has made an endorsement in the race.

The Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida announced Tuesday it has endorsed Tom Perez for chair. Perez, the only Hispanic in the running, was secretary of labor under former President Barack Obama. He's also a former assistant U.S. attorney general for civil rights.

"Tom's perspective and powerful life story will be assets in the fight ahead, standing up to the Trump Administration and expanding our party's big tent," Democratic Hispanic Caucus John A. Ramos said in a statement. "In our experience, our party can only succeed when the stakeholders involved are as diverse as possible. Tom will create an inclusive DNC and speak to everyone who shares our values of opportunity to get our party winning in Florida and across the country."

Earlier this month, the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida endorsed one of Perez's rivals, Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, calling him a "clear and passionate voice for all people."

The DNC election will take place Saturday in Atlanta. Caucuses don't have a vote.

Photo credit: David Wallace, The Arizona Republic via Associated Press