Howard Dean drops run for Democratic chairman

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean has dropped a bid to become chairman of the Democratic National Committee, arguing the party needs a younger face.

"I really feel strongly that our party needs to turn itself over to the next generation," Dean said in an appearance on MSNBC. "And I'm very happy to stay in the background and help coach whoever the chair is. I just think that one of the problems that we had in this election was we've got to connect more with young people, and that means not having faces like mine."

MSNBC reporter Hallie Jackson added on Twitter that Dean, who served as DNC chairman from 2005 to 2009, was not ready to endorse another candidate for the job.

Dean made the initial announcement Friday through a video address to the Association of State Democratic Chairs, according to Politico.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has thrown his support behind Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota to become the party's next chairman.

Howard Dean announces run for head of Democratic Party

Contact April McCullum at 802-660-1863 or amccullum@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @April_McCullum. 
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