DNC’s Pérez and Ellison Respond to Donna Brazile’s Claims

Responding to Donna Brazile's claim in her new book that the 2016 primary was "rigged" in favor of Hillary Clinton, DNC Chairman Tom Pérez said the joint fundraising agreements were the same for both Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). In a note to DNC members, Pérez wrote, "Our understanding was that the DNC offered all of the presidential campaigns the opportunity to set up a JFA and work with the DNC to coordinate on how those funds were used to best prepare for the general election.” He followed it up with another note on Saturday saying, “I will ensure that any and all joint fundraising agreements will be transparent, including the new Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund agreements we’ve developed with all 50 state parties. This is the first time the DNC has signed joint fundraising agreements like this so early and before the mid-term elections.” Nonetheless, DNC Vice Chairman Keith Ellison said Brazile's account cannot simply be dismissed. "We must heed the call for our party to enact real reforms that ensure a fair, open and impartial nominating process in elections to come. I'm committed to working with Chairman Perez to make the DNC more transparent and accountable to the American people, whether that's by ensuring that debates are scheduled far ahead of time or by guaranteeing that the terms of joint fundraising agreements give no candidate undue control or influence over the party." More here.