WASHINGTON - Ohio members of Congress Marcia Fudge and Tim Ryan on Wednesday urged members of the Democratic National Committee to select South Carolina Democratic Party chairman Jaime Harrison as the party's next national chairman.

Harrison, a former aide to South Carolina Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, is among seven contenders to succeed Florida's Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the top party leadership job.

The others are former Labor Secretary Tom Perez; U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota; television commentator Jehmu Greene; New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley; South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Sally Boynton Brown, executive director of the Idaho Democratic Party.

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Fudge and Ryan said Harrison should get the job because he's best equipped to help the party win the presidency and other elected posts around the country.

What does Fudge say?

Fudge said Democrats lost the last presidential election because they conceded important constituencies like the South, moderates and independents.

"Jamie is not to concede any ground," said Fudge.

Fudge said Harrison revamped the Democratic party in South Carolina by building coalitions and can change the trajectory of the national party "because he knows this party better than any of the other candidates running."

What does Ryan say?

Ryan said Harrison could help reconnect the party to its working class roots. He said the South Carolina party's effort to engage the community outside of politics by helping at churches and food banks, and registering people for insurance under the Affordable Care Act should be a national model.

Proud & excited to endorse Jaime Harrison for DNC Chair. His whole life story has prepared him for this role. #JoinJaime @Harrison4DNC! pic.twitter.com/qcGPanRU5a

"I think that is the secret sauce of how Democrats reconnect with working class families, poor families who don't see the political process as something they should participate in," said Ryan.

What's next?

On Feb. 25, 447 members of the DNC will meet in Atlanta to select the new party chairman. Voters in that election are selected by party members. Nine are from Ohio.

Although Fudge and Ryan aren't among those who will get to vote in the chairman's race, Fudge said their endorsements could inform the Ohioans who do have votes, as they're the ones who will have to work with the next DNC chair.

"We want someone we believe can put the presidency back in Democratic hands," said Fudge.

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