Rep. Keith Ellison (D., Minn.) lambasted the notion that the Democratic National Committee, of which he serves as deputy chairman, should intervene in primaries on behalf of any candidate.
Ellison, who recently launched his campaign for Minnesota attorney general, sat down with controversial Rabbi Michael Lerner on Tuesday for an interview. In the midst of the discussion, Lerner asked if Ellison supported efforts, like those utilized by former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) chair Rahm Emanuel, for the party to wade into the primary process and endorse the most electable candidate.
The congressman reiterated his long-held opposition to meddling in primaries and asserted that even though there are people" at the DNC who believe "otherwise," he remains committed to preventing such actions.
"I maintain now and will continue to maintain, that the DNC should have absolutely no role in a primary," Ellison said. "Now, I know that there have been people who have said otherwise, I have made myself abundantly clear that I will not ever allow that policy to go forward."
Ellison added the caveat that even if he were to be "overruled," he would refrain from being silent.
"And if I get overruled, I get overruled," he said. "But I’m not going to be quiet about it."
It remains unclear who–except DNC chairman Tom Perez–could "overrule" Ellison in his official capacity as deputy chairman.
Citing instances where the DCCC intervened to pressure more progressive candidates to drop out, Ellison contended it was "absolutely wrong" for the DNC to abandon its neutrality before a primary has concluded.
"I’ve been clear, no, we are neutral when it comes to these races," Ellison said. "The DCCC got in deep with certain candidates. I opposed that. I think it’s absolutely wrong and I don’t think that it is the proper role of the DNC to tell any candidate that they should drop out of the race."
He further elaborated such tactics only served to sow cynicism amongst voters.
"It’s wrong, wrong, wrong and people believe that the whole system is rigged and insiders are just pulling strings," he said. "It kills our brand when we do this. My thought is, stop it. Let the election shake out. Let the election be determined by the people who vote."
Ellison's remarks were a less-than-subtle rebuke of Perez, who earlier this year broke a pledge not to intervene in the primary process when he endorsed New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D.) for re-election. Cuomo, a two-term incumbent, is facing a spirited challenge for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination from "Sex and City" actress Cynthia Nixon.
Perez's action sparked a litany of condemnation from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which has long viewed Ellison as a key ally.