Howard Dean said on Friday he will not seek the Democratic National Committee’s top post.
The former Vermont governor made the announcement by video.
Dean said the DNC needs a fresh face at the helm and he would be willing to “coach the next chair,” according to The Hill, an online news organization based in Washington, D.C.
“The party needs to turn itself over to the next generation,” Dean said.
Dean served as the head of the Democratic Party organization from 2005 to 2009. During his tenure, the Democrats won back the House, the Senate and the presidency. Many in the party credit his 50-state strategy for the victories.
Three other candidates for the top job are vying for 400 DNC member votes: Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn.; Jaime Harrison, chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party; and Ray Buckley, chair of the New Hampshire party.
