Howard Dean drops out of race for chair of DNC

Democrats are in disarray after former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean dropped out of the race to head the party Friday and another favorite sought to distance himself from controversial past views on Israel.

Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison told party leaders in Denver Friday he would consider giving up his seat in Congress if chosen to lead the Democratic National Committee.

“Though I love being in Congress because it allows me to serve my neighbors, I do think that it is more important to build, strengthen the DNC,” Ellison said, according to reports.

But the Midwestern congressman has been pummeled this week by criticism from the Anti-Defamation League and Democratic donors for his past ties to the Nation of Islam, his defense of anti-Semitic leader Louis Farrakhan who he once called a “role model,” and past statements questioning U.S. policy in the Middle East.

He enjoys the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, despite his record.

State party chairs met for nearly three hours in Colorado to hear the appeals of the remaining three candidates to lead the Democratic National Committee — Ellison, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley, and South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Harrison.

Dean, who previously served as DNC chair in 2004 after losing the Democratic presidential primary to John Kerry, bowed out saying he has “other priorities” and wanted to spend more time with his grandchild.

More candidates could jump into the race before party leaders choose their next chairman in February.