The endorsement also falls in line with Tom Perez's background. | Getty Eric Holder endorses Tom Perez in DNC chair race

Former Attorney General Eric Holder is endorsing former Labor Secretary Tom Perez for chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

"As we’ve seen since the inauguration, there is much at stake for our nation, and our democracy and our party. We need a DNC chair who is a proven fighter and a proven uniter. Tom Perez is that person," Holder said in a statement sent out Tuesday from Perez's DNC chair campaign team. "Tom not only knows how to take on big fights; he wins them. He led the effort against former Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona on immigration issues, stopped discriminatory voter ID laws, and successfully took on Wall Street in the aftermath of the foreclosure crisis. He made opportunity a reality for women, immigrants, and people with the disabilities."


The endorsement adds Holder to the list of other former top Obama administration officials backing Perez. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are also backing Perez.

The endorsement also falls in line with Perez's background. He served in the Department of Justice as a civil rights lawyer and has made voting rights one of the major themes of his campaign for DNC chair.

Perez is running against Rep. Keith Ellison, Idaho Democratic Party executive director Sally Boynton Brown, New Hampshire Democratic Party chairman Ray Buckley, South Carolina Democratic Party chairman Jaime Harrison, Democratic strategist Jehmu Greene, and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Holder praised the other candidates but said he firmly supported Perez.

"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," Holder said. "I’m confident Tom is up to the tasks that will confront the next DNC Chair. I endorse him with great enthusiasm."