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Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., a candidate for Democratic National Committee Chairman, speaks during a Democratic National Committee forum in Baltimore, Md., Feb. 11, 2017.(REUTERS/Joshua Roberts)

MANCHESTER Raymond Buckley, New Hampshires top Democrat, went from contender to potential kingmaker Saturday, exiting the Democratic National Committee chairmans race to endorse Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison.

During a telephone interview, Buckley said hes 100 percent convinced Ellison will get the 224 votes needed to become chairman on the first ballot when the DNC meets next Friday in Atlanta.

Absolutely 100 percent convinced, I have been on the phone the last couple of hours, the response has been really terrific, Buckley said. He will have this thing wrapped up in a couple of days.

Buckley, a 57-year-old Manchester resident, is seriously considering seeking a sixth term as state party chairman now, but wont formally declare that until after the DNC vote.

Former House Speaker Terie Norelli of Portsmouth had been waiting in the wings to seek the chairmanship if Buckley became DNC chair.

If he wins, Ellison, the first Muslim-American elected to Congress, is expected to reward Buckley with a more high profile role. Buckley is already president of the Association of Democratic State Chairs.

When Buckley entered this race four days before Christmas, he said getting behind one of the other nine candidates was always a possibility.

I was talking about becoming a team, Buckley said.

It was very exciting to hear my words come back out of other peoples mouths. I dont think I anticipated 12 debates across the country, nearly all of them nationally televised, or that some folks would raise more than $1 million.

Ellison said he would empower Buckley to quarterback a 57 state strategy referring to Americas 50 states, six territories and U.S. Democrats living abroad.

Because in this fight against Donald Trump and Republican-controlled states, we need every state party firing on all cylinders, Ellison said. Thats how we take our country back, and I cannot be more proud to have Ray Buckley by my side in this fight.

Buckley said Ellison knows better than anyone grass roots politics is the secret to victory and not Madison Avenue marketing or Capitol Hill-style politicking.

Now, many candidates have spoken about these issues, but Keiths commitment to the states and a transparent and accountable DNC has stood out, Buckley said. He knows elections are not won and lost in the beltway, but on the ground across the country.

The race has many other hopefuls but its come down to a rerun of the 2016 presidential race with nominee Hillary and former President Bill Clinton along with Vice President Joe Biden all with Obama Labor Secretary Tom Perez.

Clintons primary rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, is with Ellison as is Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio.

At a recent DNC forum in Baltimore, Buckley got national notice with a high octane message lecturing party leaders to grow up and realize their message of trying to shame Trump was a losing one.

The new DNC has gotten the message, Buckley said Saturday.

I feel very positive message wise, organizational wise, reforming our nominating process, opening up the DNC to more and more people, all of the changes that need to happen are going to come to pass, Buckley added.

klandrigan@unionleader.com

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NH Democrat Buckley drops out, endorses national chair hopeful - The Union Leader