Outgoing Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison defended the use of identity politics in his party’s approach Thursday, pushing back against critics who argue Democrats should abandon race-based strategies.
Harrison, whose term ends Feb. 1, cited his experience as a black man while arguing in an Arizona DNC speech that minorities must see the Democratic Party as their own and “cannot be the excuse for why we win or lose,” according to The Associated Press (AP).
“When I wake up in the morning, when I look in the mirror, when I step out the door, I can’t rub this off,” he said, gesturing to his face. “This is who I am. This is how the world perceives me.”
Jaime Harrison discusses being the new DNC chair and the future of the Democratic Party: “We are going to be extremely aggressive, investing in every state to make sure that in 2022 Joe Biden has a majority that he can grow.” pic.twitter.com/aj0XbEh7WF
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 22, 2021
“That is my identity,” Harrison continued. “And it is not politics. It is my life. And the people that I need in the party, that I need to stand up for me, have to recognize that. You cannot run away from that.” (RELATED:Democrats Set To Elect New Leader Following Trump’s Inauguration)
The chairman suggested he has unresolved internal party grievances, hinting that “the muzzle comes off” after his replacement is elected. He announced he has no plans to endorse his successor and is writing a book to detail his experiences during his four-year tenure, the outlet reported.
“That’s it for you all,” Harrison said as he concluded his speech. “Because I’m saving the rest for my book. And I am naming names.”
The speech comes amid ongoing discussions about the efficacy of racial politics in the Democratic Party’s electoral strategy following Vice President Kamala Harris‘s Nov. 5 loss to President-elect Donald Trump.
Harrison, elected DNC chair in January 2021 with President Joe Biden’s endorsement, previously served as the first African American chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.
He unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 2020, losing to incumbent Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham by 11% despite raising record campaign funds.
