Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Sally Boynton Brown Friday announced her candidacy for the DNC (Democratic National Committee) Chair.
Party officers approved a two-month leave of absence and have endorsed her candidacy, according to a news release.
“Our party can’t afford to spend the next two years having an ideological debate on whether we are liberals or moderates. The Democratic Party has always represented the people and now more than ever we must blow the walls of our tent so everyone feels welcome,” she said in a prepared statement.
“On November 8th, 50% of American voters stayed home. It’s time to have an organizational conversation on how we become a resilient, innovative Party for the 21st Century. Our most important mission is to inspire all Americans to participate fully in democracy and clear all barriers that stand between Americans and their right to cast a ballot. As your next DNC Chair, I will lead the insurgency against the forces that threaten the country we love,” she added.
According to the Associated Press, Boynton Brown is the first woman to throw her hat in the ring; she is currently competing against Minnesota U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, Labor Secretary Tom Perez, South Carolina chairman Jaime Harrison, and New Hampshire party head Ray Buckley.
she says her roots working in a red state will help the Democratic Party if she becomes elected.
"The reality is if you look around the country we're turning into a red country and I absolutely think that we need a chair of the Democratic Party who has experience with red states with rural areas who can bring that perspective to the conversation," said Boynton Brown.
The election will be held February 23-26 and is voted on by 447 Democratic National Committee members from around the country.
(Associated Press contributed to this report)
