South Carolina Democratic Party chairman Jaime Harrison picked up his first big endorsement today in his race for to become chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Rep. James Clyburn (R-S.C.), his former boss and the third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, sent out an email to DNC members this morning endorsing his former aide, according to Politico’s Gabriel Debenedetti.
Harrison’s response on Twitter:
UPDATE: I’ve obtained a copy of the Clyburn email. A good part of the email is biographical in nature, but here are the key excerpts:
I write to strongly encourage you to support Jaime Harrison for Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). He has the experience, vision, and commitment to rebuild our party and to return us to victory on national, state, and local levels.
Jaime’s experiences have made him adept at connecting with people at all levels – from South Carolina fish fries and Maryland crab boils to the hallowed halls of our finest colleges and universities. Jaime is well regarded by many of my colleagues here and by Democrats from around the country. We need someone who understands, appreciates, and values the diversity of our party. Jaime Harrison is pitch-perfect for the job.
Our next DNC chair must work full-time to rebuild our party. The Chair must bridge the divide between those who navigate our political corridors and those who work hard, play by the rules, and want little more than to care for their families and to create stability and opportunity for their children and grandchildren. I know from over 20 years of experiences with Jaime that he is the right person for the job. His unrelenting work ethic, keen intellect, collaborative spirit, and utmost integrity will serve our party well. I commend him to you for your sincere consideration and, hopefully, strong support.
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