The threshold for victory in the second round was 218 votes, out of 435 voters. Perez gained 235 to 200 for Ellison. After announcing the result, acting chair Donna Brazile presented the gavel to Perez. He presented a motion to name Ellison as deputy chair, which passed unopposed.
Both men used their remarks after the vote to appeal for party unity, the race for DNC chair having become a symbol of divisions that opened during the 2016 presidential primary between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Progressive activists said the outcome would be indicative of their standing within the party.
I've never identified with any party, but caucused with the Democrats for Bernie because it was the first time I heard someone speaking publicly about the core issues that underpin many of the problems we face today.
But the Democratic Party? No. Not for me.
However, that move by Perez - naming Ellison his deputy chair - is ... refreshing. And shows some strength of character and willingness to share "winning". That's an important step in the right direction.
I still ain't no Democrat, but if these two work together to truly modernize the party and build something more transparent, representative of the left, with a solid foundation in science and good monetary policy... they might convince me to give them a second look.