Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison is in real trouble in his bid to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee. Only recently he appeared unstoppable. Now, with Secretary of Labor Tom Perez throwing his hat in the ring, Democrats have a serious alternative to someone whom they fear would double down on the political strategies that failed so spectacularly in the election.

Ellison’s history is littered with examples of conduct and statements that give Democrats who want to rebuild their party serious concern. Much has been rightly made of his past associations with Louis Farrakhan and his Nation of Islam organization. He’s also said things that make them worry he does not support Israel and may, in fact, harbor anti-Semitic sentiments.

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Those concerns had nowhere to go while Ellison was the main contender for DNC chair. Now that Perez has entered the fray, Democrats can safely consider an alternative to what Ellison has to offer.

Perhaps sensing this, and even before Perez’s entrance, Ellison offered to step down from his seat in Congress, setting off a scramble to find a replacement for his congressional seat. The seat is safely Democrat; the chances of a Republican winning it are nil.

Perez is from the progressive wing of the Democrat party so there’s no danger of any genuine right-wing drift in his candidacy. He gives the 447 voting members of the DNC, however, a chance to elect someone who is not damaged before he gets started.

Some estimates put Ellison at having locked up one-eighth of that number, an advantage that can be easily overcome by Perez.

President Obama specifically mentioned Perez by name recently, adding credence to the belief that the White House was not enthused about the prospect of Ellison becoming chair. There has been little blowback for the president on this score. Democrats being loathe to criticize him in the little time remaining in his term. Yet you would have to be naïve not to see this for what it is: an endorsement all but in name.

Perez has his critics, to be sure. But they are mostly on the right, which doesn’t do him any harm and might in fact help. He seems to know what to telegraph to potential DNC supporters as well. In a recent interview, he said, “Our universal message of access to economic opportunity resonates with the ironworker in northeastern Ohio and the immigrant in South Florida.”

That message, if it truly exists, clearly didn’t resonate with voters last month. Democrats are still in flux as to the best path out of their crushing defeat. It can fairly be said that many are thinking they should not compound the damage by electing Ellison to such a high profile position.

The DNC election for chair is not until late February. That provides ample time for Perez to gain traction and for Ellison to continue to slide.

Perez’s election as chair would be bad news for Republicans, because it would show that far from ignoring the lessons of 2016, Democrats have learned from them.

John Gilmore is a Republican attorney and author of “Bachmannistan: Behind The Lines."

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