Atlanta

DNC meets in Atlanta to choose new leader

ATLANTA — The future of the Democratic Party is being decided in Atlanta this weekend.

The DNC winter meeting is happening over three days at the Downtown Westin with the goal of choosing a new leader.

The meeting features a battle for control of a party that finds itself out of power in Washington.

“We got into this mess because we lost elections. Not just in November, but really a thousand of them,” Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison said.

Ellison is one of two leading candidates to be the party’s next chairman.

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Some believe he would take the party in a more liberal direction.

His chief rival, former labor secretary Tom Perez, is perceived as a more establishment or mainstream Democrat.

Atlanta politicians jumped into the battle, with Mayor Kasim Reed supporting Perez.

“Tom Perez understands we are at our best when we choose diversity over division,” Reed said.

Congressman John Lewis supports Ellison.

“Keith’s long history as an organizer who can energize the grassroots makes him the best choice to lead our party during this critical time,” he said.

The vote for the new DNC chair is scheduled for Saturday.