Biden Taps South Carolina’s Harrison as His Pick to Head DNC

(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Joe Biden chose Jaime Harrison as his pick to head the Democratic National Committee as he strives to keep a close relationship between his administration and the larger party.

The Biden transition team also announced that they picked Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Filemon Vela Jr. to serve as vice chairs of the party.

DNC members will vote next Thursday to finalize the picks.

A former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, Harrison drew national attention and broke fundraising records in his unsuccessful campaign against Senator Lindsey Graham last year.

Incoming presidents generally name a new chair of their party. Harrison previously ran for national party chairman in 2017 but ultimately dropped out and endorsed current head Tom Perez.

With a narrow margin in the House and a tied Senate, Democrats are preparing for a tough fight in the 2022 midterm elections. Biden is expected to work closely with the Democratic National Committee on that effort.

Biden’s transition team also picked Chris Korge to continue in his role as finance chair.

Biden’s transition team in a statement also pledged that the slate of DNC at-large members would include the “most labor representation in recent history.”

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