Tom Perez

Tom Perez
Chair of the Democratic National Committee
Assumed office
February 25, 2017
Deputy Keith Ellison
Preceded by Donna Brazile (Acting)
26th United States Secretary of Labor
In office
July 23, 2013 – January 20, 2017
President Barack Obama
Deputy Chris Lu
Preceded by Hilda Solis
Succeeded by Alexander Acosta
United States Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
In office
October 8, 2009 – July 23, 2013
President Barack Obama
Preceded by Wan Kim
Succeeded by Joycelyn Samuels (Acting)
Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
In office
March 15, 2007 – October 7, 2009
Governor Martin O'Malley
Preceded by James Fielder
Succeeded by Alexander Sanchez
Personal details
Born Thomas Edward Perez
(1961-10-07) October 7, 1961
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Ann Marie Staudenmaier
Children 3
Education Brown University (BA)
Harvard University (MPP, JD)
Signature

Thomas Edward Perez (born October 7, 1961) is an American Democratic Party politician who has served as the Chair of the Democratic National Committee since February 2017. Perez was the United States Secretary of Labor from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that he worked as a consumer advocate and civil rights lawyer before serving as the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights from 2009 to 2013.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Perez is a graduate of Brown University, Harvard Law School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. He worked as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado before serving in the Department of Justice from 1989 to 1995, where he worked as a federal prosecutor, and as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under Attorney General Janet Reno. He worked as a Special Counselor for Senator Ted Kennedy until 1998 when he served as the Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the final years of the Clinton administration.

Perez was then elected to the Montgomery County (Maryland) Council in 2002, serving as the council's president from 2005, until the end of his tenure in 2006. He attempted to run for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General of Maryland, but was disqualified for not having 10 years of legal experience in Maryland (he was admitted to the Maryland bar in 2001).[1] Perez was appointed by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley to serve as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation in January 2007, until his October 2009 confirmation by the United States Senate as Assistant Attorney General. In March 2013, Perez was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the United States Secretary of Labor, replacing outgoing Secretary Hilda Solis. He was confirmed by the Senate on July 18 and sworn in on July 23, 2013.

Perez announced his candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee in the 2017 election on December 15, 2016.[2][3] On February 25, 2017, Perez was elected Chairman on a second ballot. Minutes after being elected, Perez named Keith Ellison as deputy chair.

Early life and education

Thomas Edward Perez was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, to parents Grace (née Altagracia Brache Bernard) and Rafael Antonio de Jesús Pérez Lara, who were both first-generation Dominican immigrants.[4]

His father, who earned U.S. citizenship after enlisting in the U.S. Army after World War II, worked as a doctor in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving to Buffalo, where he worked as a physician at a Veterans Affairs hospital.[5]

His mother, Grace, came to the United States in 1930 after her father, Rafael Brache, was appointed as the Dominican Republic's Ambassador to the United States. Brache was initially an ally of Rafael Trujillo, but after a falling out, he was declared an enemy of the state, forcing him and his family to remain in the United States.[6]

Perez is the youngest of five brothers and sisters, all of whom but Perez followed their father in becoming physicians.[5][7] His father died of a heart attack when Perez was 12 years old.[8] Perez graduated from Canisius High School, an all boys Jesuit school in Buffalo, in 1979.[9]

Perez received his Bachelor of Arts in international relations and political science from Brown University in 1983. He joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity there.[10] He covered the cost of attending Brown with scholarships and Pell Grants and by working as a trash collector and in a warehouse.[11][12] He worked in Brown's dining hall and for the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights.[13][14]

In 1987, Perez received a Juris Doctor cum laude from Harvard Law School and a Master of Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government.[15]

In 1986, while a student at Harvard, Perez worked as a law clerk for Attorney General Edwin Meese.[16]

Early career

After graduating from Harvard, Perez worked as a law clerk for Judge Zita Weinshienk of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado from 1987 to 1989.[17]

From 1989 to 1995, he worked as a federal prosecutor in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division.[18] He later served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under Attorney General Janet Reno.[19] Perez chaired the interagency Worker Exploitation Task Force, which oversaw a variety of initiatives designed to protect workers.[20]

From 1995 to 1998, Perez worked as Democratic Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy's principal adviser on civil rights, criminal justice, and constitutional issues.[21] During the final two years of the second Clinton administration, he worked as the Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the United States Department of Health and Human Services.[22]

From 2001 to 2007, Perez was a professor at the University of Maryland School of Law, where he taught in the clinical law and law and health program.[23] He was a part-time member of the faculty at the George Washington University School of Public Health.[24]

Montgomery County Council

In 2002, Perez ran for the county council of Montgomery County, Maryland from its 5th district, which covers Silver Spring, Kensington, Takoma Park, and Wheaton. His main challenge was the Democratic primary, where he faced Sally Sternbach, the head of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board and the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce.[25] He defeated Sternbach with the support of the AFL-CIO and other labor groups.[25][26] He faced Republican Dennis E. Walsh in the general election and won with 76% of the vote, becoming the first Hispanic council member.[27]

Perez was on the council from 2002 to 2006.[28] During that time, he served on the committees for Health and Human Services, and Transportation and the Environment.[29] He also served as council president from 2004 to 2005.[30] With council member Mike Subin, Perez pushed for legislation on predatory lending.[31] The law allowed the county's Commission on Human Rights to investigate and prosecute loan brokers and third-party lenders engaging in predatory lending, raised the cap on compensation for victims, and required the commission to release an annual report on discriminatory and subprime lending in the county.[32]

Perez opposed the privatization of the non-profit health insurer CareFirst, a non-stock holding, independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association that provided coverage in Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.[33][34] He lobbied for support on the county council and in the Maryland General Assembly against the sale of CareFirst to Wellpoint Health Networks, Inc.[33] He led the council to a unanimous vote against the acquisition, leading to the rejection of the merger by Maryland's Commissioner of Insurance.[35]

In 2004, Perez, and fellow council member Marilyn Praisner introduced an initiative to provide affordable prescription drugs for county employees and retirees,[36] setting up a voluntary program to import high-quality, lower priced prescription drugs from suppliers in Canada approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).[37] The initiative was overwhelmingly passed by the council, though Montgomery County was denied a waiver by the FDA through the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act,[38] leading to a lawsuit by Montgomery County against Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, where the U.S. District Court for Maryland granted the FDA the right to dismiss.[39]

Maryland Attorney General campaign

After speculation arose that 20-year incumbent Attorney General of Maryland J. Joseph Curran, Jr. would announce his retirement in 2006, Perez was seen as a top contender to replace Curran.[40] On May 23, 2006, after Curran announced he would not run for re-election, Perez launched his candidacy, in a three-city tour with former Maryland Attorney General and United States Attorney Stephen H. Sachs.[41] Perez was backed by labor groups such as Maryland's State Teachers Association and the Service Employees International Union.[41]

Perez's main challengers were Montgomery County State's Attorney Doug Gansler and Stuart O. Simms, a Baltimore lawyer who had served as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.[42] Gansler, who got an early start in campaign contributions, raised over $1.4 million, compared to Perez's $200,000.[43]

During the campaign, questions were raised over whether Perez was permitted to run under Maryland's State Constitution, due to a requirement that candidates for attorney general must have at least 10 years of previous experience practicing law in Maryland; It wasn't until 2001 that Perez had become a member of the Maryland State Bar Association.[44] The lawsuit was filed by Stephen N. Abrams, a member of the Montgomery County Board of Education and the 2006 Republican candidate for Comptroller of Maryland.[45]

Abrams argued that it was "absolutely wrong to say that Perez met the 10-year requirement", after he was cleared by the Maryland State Board of Elections, and received legal advice from Attorney General Curran, who opined that Perez's time as a federal prosecutor in Maryland seemingly met the requirement.[46] The lawsuit, which was brought before the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, was rejected by that court two months before the primary. Abrams appealed, bringing the case before the Maryland Court of Appeals, Maryland's highest court.[47] The Court of Appeals rejected Perez's bid for Attorney General.[48] Perez then shifted his resources to support Martin O'Malley in his successful 2006 campaign for Governor of Maryland.[49]

Maryland Secretary of Labor

In January 2007, newly elected Governor Martin O'Malley selected Perez to run the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.[50]

In that role, Perez led efforts to target Maryland companies who were engaging in workplace fraud, imposing new restrictions on the employee misclassification as independent contractors.[51] He helped with the implementation of H.R. 1590, the Workplace Fraud Act of 2009, imposing penalties for employers who falsely classified their employees as independent contractors, actions involving tax evasion by the employers as well as the denial of worker protections and health insurance benefits to employees.[52] In May 2009, Governor O'Malley signed the act into law, with Perez saying that the act would "ensure that employers who attempt to cheat the system, their workers and their competitors, will pay a steep price for their actions".[53]

Perez's official portrait as Maryland's Secretary of DLLR

In 2004, then-Governor Robert Ehrlich vetoed an attempt to implement a living wage law in Maryland.[54] Perez helped lead the reintroduction of a similar bill in 2007.[55] After the bill passed and was signed by Governor O'Malley, Perez announced new provisions for out-of-state contractors and subcontractors doing business in Maryland, subjecting them to the same standards as in-state businesses.[56]

Perez was a top adviser to O'Malley on Maryland's healthcare workforce shortage.[57] Perez helped develop a plan relieving the chronic shortage of nurses in Maryland, allowing immigrants who have nursing qualifications in their home countries to have their certifications count towards becoming a registered nurse in the state.[58]

Perez served as co-chair of the Maryland Workforce Creation and Adult Education Transition Council, alongside Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick, after Governor O'Malley moved the Maryland Adult Education and Literacy Services Program, the adult correctional education, and the GED Testing Office from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor.[59] The council oversaw the extensive transition process, while commissioning a report on proposals to revamp the state adult education system and identifying inefficiencies in the state correctional education budget.[60] Though the shift of the programs to the DLLR was proposed to allow the state to save money and create a more unified workforce system,[61] the decision was criticized by adult education providers in the state[62] and was seen as a political move by O'Malley to undermine control of the agency by Superintendent Grasmick.[63]

During his first term as Governor, O'Malley pushed proposals to expand gambling in Maryland, with Perez spearheading the legalization of slot machines in the state.[64] The legislation was a central part of a plan to raise revenue to close Maryland's budget deficit (keeping revenue from crossing state lines), though Perez was criticized by many in his own party who saw the measure as a regressive way to raise revenue.[65] Perez commissioned a report led by the DLLR[66] arguing that the legalization of slots would be necessary to preserve Maryland's horse racing and breeding industries, with new revenue helping to address the issues of public education and school construction.[67] The plan was approved in a state referendum by voters in the 2008 election, allowing 15,000 new slot machines in the state.[68]

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights

Perez's official Justice Department portrait

On March 31, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Perez to be Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice.[69] The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Perez's nomination on April 29, 2009, and on June 4, 2009, the committee voted 17-2 to send Perez's nomination to the full Senate.[70] Perez's nomination then did not move forward for several months, amid questions by Republican senators about his record on immigration matters and a controversy over the Obama Justice Department's dismissal of a voter intimidation case against the militant New Black Panther Party.[71] Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) characterized the opposition as foot-dragging and "posturing for narrow special interests".[72] On October 6, 2009, the full United States Senate confirmed Perez in a bipartisan 72-22 vote.[73] Only two Senators spoke out against the nomination: Tom Coburn (R-OK) and David Vitter (R-LA).[72]

Perez revamped Justice Department efforts in pursuing federal settlements and consent agreements under the Americans With Disabilities Act.[74] One of Perez's main focuses was on the discrimination of individuals with HIV/AIDS, saying that it is "critical that we continue to work to eradicate discriminatory and stigmatizing treatment towards individuals with HIV based on unfounded fears and stereotypes".[75]

Perez oversaw the division responsible of the implementation, and training of local enforcement in response to the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act;[76] including overseeing the first hate-crime conviction under the law, in the racially motivated murder of James Craig Anderson.[77] Perez endorsed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in 2009, citing it one of his "top priorities",[78] and at his first testimony after being confirmed as Assistant Attorney General, he said, "That LGBT individuals not being currently protected against discrimination in the workplace is perhaps one of the most gaping holes in our nation's civil rights laws."[79]

Student discrimination

In 2009, the Civil Rights Division under Perez's tenure filed suit against a Herkimer County, New York school for "alleged violations of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972".[80] The plaintiff, a 14-year-old high school student from Mohawk, New York, who "dyes his hair, and wears make-up and nail polish",[81] was reportedly subjected to verbal sex-based harassment and was "threatened, intimidated, and physically assaulted based on his non-masculine expression".[81]

In J.L. v Mohawk Central School District, the settlement required the school district to begin "training staff in appropriate ways to address harassment", to "review its policies and procedures governing harassment" and "report to the New York Civil Liberties Union (which previously represented the student in the lawsuit), as well as the Department of Justice, on these efforts as well as its ongoing response".[82] This was the first time since the Clinton administration that Title IX was applied to gender identity discrimination.[83]

The Civil Rights Division reached a settlement with the Anoka-Hennepin School District in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, after the district school board voted to repeal its policy prohibiting teachers from mentioning homosexuality in the classroom.[84] Students who brought the lawsuit accused the district of creating a "hostile, anti-gay environment" and not doing enough to protect LGBT students.[85] Perez praised the school board's decision, saying that the settlement is a "comprehensive blueprint for sustainable reform that will enhance the district's policies, training and other efforts to ensure that every student is free from sex-based harassment".[86]

After a "comprehensive investigation" by the Civil Rights Division of a juvenile facility in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Perez's division found multiple violations of due process and Miranda rights of African-American and disabled students at Meridian, Mississippi, schools by the Lauderdale County Youth Court, the Meridian Police Department and the Mississippi Division of Youth Services.[87] The investigation described local and state authorities of running a "school-to-prison pipeline",[88] by incarcerating students for minor school disciplinary infractions, such as violating school dress-code guidelines.[89]

The Justice Department determined that a pattern existed of Mississippi authorities' failing to assess probable cause that unlawful offenses against the students had been committed, and that students were held in jail without the benefit of a hearing, a lawyer or Miranda rights;[87] with Perez claiming that "the systematic disregard for children's basic constitutional rights by agencies with a duty to protect and serve these children betrays the public trust".[90]

Police discrimination

Perez giving a speech in Washington D.C. on July 26, 2012

After the shooting death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida, in 2012, Perez was brought in by Representative Alcee Hastings and Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplet to investigate the police department's handling of the case.[91] A full-scale investigation was later launched by the Civil Rights Division, where Perez led an inquiry on the shooting investigation. After a thorough investigation was promised by Attorney General Eric Holder, Perez went to Florida, meeting with U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neil, family members of Trayvon Martin, and local officials to investigate whether the shooting was a racially motivated hate crime.[92] The Justice Department launched a probe into Sanford police chief Bill Lee, who was fired two months after the beginning of the investigation.[93]

After homeless Native American woodcarver John T. Williams was fatally shot by the Seattle Police Department in 2010, Perez led an eight-month investigation into the use of excessive force by the SPD.[94] After the end of the Division's investigation, along with Jenny Durkan, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Western Washington, Perez released a report citing "constitutional violations regarding the use of force that result from structural problems, as well as serious concerns about biased policing" by the SPD.[95] A settlement was later reached between the Civil Rights Division and the city of Seattle requiring the city to create a Community Police Commission, have the SPD under the supervision of an independent, court-appointed monitor, and encouraging police officers to de-escalate nonviolent confrontations by decreasing their use of force.[96]

Maricopa County, Arizona investigation

In June 2008, the Civil Rights Division opened an investigation into the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and Sheriff Joe Arpaio, following allegations that the MCSO was engaged in a pattern of practice of unlawful conduct.[97]

An expanded investigation leading into Perez's tenure over "discriminatory police practices and unconstitutional searches and seizures",[98] led to a lawsuit by the Justice Department after Arpaio rejected the Department's request for documents regarding the investigation; this was the first time that the federal government sued a local law enforcement agency concerning Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 since the 1970s.[99][100]

Perez released a 22-page report[97] on discriminatory and racial biases against Latinos by the MCSO and Arpaio.[101] The report found that the MCSO mistreated and used racial slurs against Spanish-speaking inmates; Latino drivers were four to nine times more likely than non-Latino drivers to be stopped in identical non-criminal instances; 20% of stops and seizures, almost all of them involving Latinos, were legally unjustified, violating the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution; and the MCSO and sheriff's deputies engaged in retaliation against individuals who participated in demonstrations against the office's policies regarding immigration.[97] Arpaio was also found to have used racial and ethnic description, such as "individuals with dark skin" and "individuals speaking Spanish" as justification for immigration raids on businesses and homes, while overlooking criminal activity, as vindication for immigration raids led by the MCSO.[102]

In May 2012, after the end of a three-year investigation, Perez led his division in a lawsuit against Maricopa County, the MCSO and Arpaio, for violating Section 14141 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.[103] Arpaio called the suit a political move by the Obama administration,[104] while Perez called the suit an "abuse-of-power case involving a sheriff and sheriff's office that disregarded the Constitution, ignored sound police practices, compromised public safety and did not hesitate to retaliate against his perceived critics".[105]

Voting rights

Voter I.D. laws

The Obama administration directed Perez and the Civil Rights Division in challenging South Carolina's 2011 voter ID law, over concerns that the law violated Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.[106] Perez successfully blocked the law from taking effect, after the Justice Department alleged that South Carolina had failed to prove that the law would not have a disproportionate effect on minority voters.[107] In a letter to South Carolina's Deputy Assistant Attorney General, C. Havird Jones, Jr.,[108] Perez questioned whether 81,000 registered voters, all of whom were minorities who didn't have government-issued or military photo identification, would be able to exercise their right to vote, citing "significant racial disparities in the proposed photo identification requirement".[108]

Perez also oversaw the Obama administration's efforts in challenging a 2011 voter ID law signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry, the second voter ID law consequently found to have violated Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.[109] Addressing the Supreme Court case Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, where the court upheld the constitutionality of Indiana's photo ID requirement, Perez argued that "[Texas's] submission did not include evidence of significant in-person voter impersonation not already addressed by the state's existing laws".[110] Perez also stressed data from the Texas Department of Public Safety that found that registered Hispanic voters were 46.5% to 120% less likely than non-Hispanic voters to have a government issued driver's license or state required photo ID.[111][112][113]

New Black Panther Party case

On May 14, 2010, Perez testified to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights that political leadership was not involved in the decision to dismiss three of the four defendants in the NBPP case. However, on March 12, 2013, the Department of Justice Inspector General released a report stating that Perez's testimony did not reflect the entire story, as AAG Perelli and DAAG Sam Hirsch were involved in consultations on the case. However, the Inspector General found that Perez did not know about these consultations at the time of his testimony, and therefore he did not intentionally mislead the commission. However, because of his role as a Department witness, the Inspector General believed that Perez should have inquired further on this issue before testifying.[114]

In the same report, the Inspector General found that the Civil Rights department exhibited a clear priority in enforcing the motor-voter provisions of the NVRA over the list-maintenance provisions. However, the Inspector General did not find sufficient evidence to conclude that these differences in enforcement were for political reasons.[114] In particular, they found that Perez sent letters about list-maintenance enforcement in December 2010, so as not to be viewed as interfering with the 2010 elections.[114] However, this letter provided no guidance on how states were to enforce list-maintenance procedures, instead leaving it up to the states.[115] Overall, the report stated that: "The conduct that we discovered and document in this report reflects a disappointing lack of professionalism by some Department employees over an extended period of time, during two administrations, and across various facets of the Voting Section's operations."[114]

Secretary of Labor

Nomination and confirmation

President Barack Obama and Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez during Perez's nomination for Secretary of Labor

On March 18, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Perez to be Secretary of Labor, succeeding outgoing Secretary Hilda Solis.[116] Perez's nomination was criticized by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Pat Roberts (R-KS),[117] as well as the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal,[118] for his decision not to intervene in a whistleblower case against Saint Paul, Minnesota, in return for the city's dropping a case before the Supreme Court (Magner v. Gallagher), which could have undermined the disparate impact theory of discrimination.[119] Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) opposed the nomination because of Perez's views on immigration and his association with CASA de Maryland, calling the nomination "an unfortunate and needlessly divisive nomination".[120][121] Perez's nomination was supported by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the committee that oversees the Department of Labor.[122] His nomination was also supported by labor groups, such as the AFL-CIO and the United Farm Workers of America,[123][124] as well as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Women's Law Center.[125][126]

Thomas Perez at his Senate confirmation hearing for Secretary of Labor

Before holding a hearing on the nomination, Republican members of the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subpoenaed Perez's personal e-mails[127] and released a 64-page report[128] into Perez's actions in the St. Paul whistleblower case, saying that Perez "manipulated justice and ignored the rule of law".[129]

At his confirmation hearing on April 18, 2013,[130] Perez was questioned about his role in Magner v. Gallagher and the NBPP case, as well as the Obama administration's plan to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 an hour.[131]

The confirmation vote was delayed to May 8 to give Senate Democrats more time to review Perez's role in Magner v. Gallagher,[132] and then to May 16,[133] at which time Perez's nomination cleared the committee on a party line vote of 12-10.[134] Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) postponed a full Senate vote on the nomination until July.[135]

As Senate Democrats pushed in July 2013 to eliminate the filibuster for all executive-branch nominees, senators struck a deal for a Senate vote on Perez's nomination. On July 17, 2013, the Senate voted 60-40 for cloture on Perez's nomination, ending the filibuster.[136] On July 18, 2013, the Senate voted 54-46 to confirm Perez as Secretary of Labor.[137] It was the first Senate confirmation vote in history in which a cabinet member's confirmation received a party-line vote, something many press observers termed "historic".[138]

Actions

Perez began his tenure by holding several meetings seeking to implement the Fiduciary Rule.[139] The Fiduciary Rule imposes a fiduciary level standard of care on retirement advisors, forbidding them from receiving any commissions that create a conflict of interest.[140]

The rule was originally drafted in 2010, but had not been implemented after over 200 members of Congress sent letters urging the rule be withdrawn.[139] Secretary Perez met with stakeholders during new rulemaking, then held a conference at the Center for American Progress where he announced he was implementing the Fiduciary Rule on April 6, 2016.[139] Congress passed legislation overturning the Fiduciary Rule but it was vetoed by President Obama on June 9, 2016.[141]

In May 2016, following several days of negotiations,[142] Verizon and striking labor union workers reached contract agreements at the Department of Labor headquarters in Washington D.C.

Secretary Perez issued the Home Care Rule, requiring home care workers for the elderly and/or people with disabilities receive minimum wage and over-time compensation, effective January 1, 2015.[143] In December 2014, U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon vacated the rule, finding it arbitrary and capricious.[144] In August 2015, Circuit Judge Sri Srinivasan, joined by Judges Thomas B. Griffith and Nina Pillard reversed, reinstating the rule. On June 27, 2016, the Supreme Court declined review.[145]

Perez regularly made 'house calls' or onsite trips [146] to obtain personal feedback and listen to workers who shared stories of their experiences. The Department of Labor launched a Veterans employment website to assist veterans with locating and utilizing employment resources.[147]

Secretary Perez used the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 as authority to issue the Persuader Rule, which required an employer's attorney to publicly disclose advice given to persuade against unionization.[148]

Before the rule took effect on July 1, 2016, the National Federation of Independent Business sued. On June 26, U.S. District Judge Samuel Ray Cummings issued a nationwide injunction blocking the Persuader Rule, finding it was not authorized by the Act, and that it violated the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.[149] On August 25, Perez implemented the President's Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces executive order.[150] On October 4, U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone issued a nationwide injunction blocking the rule.[151] Crone found the Constitution's Due Process Clause forbids the President from requiring federal contractors to disclose mere allegations that the contractor had violated labor laws.[151]

Perez issued a regulation attempting to double the maximum salary where overtime is required, effective December 1.[152] On November 22, U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III, issued a nationwide injunction blocking the regulation, finding that the overtime pay rule was beyond the Secretary's authority under the Fair Labor Standards Act.[153]

Perez claimed that questions by the Donald Trump Presidential Transition team sent to the State and Energy Departments as illegal. However he said he was not aware of any similar 'blanket' probes having been sent to the Labor Department.[154]

Democratic Politics

During the 2016 presidential election, Perez was mentioned as a possible running mate on the Democratic ticket with Hillary Clinton,[155] but was ultimately not selected. Perez later campaigned for the Clinton-Kaine ticket.

Chair of the Democratic National Committee

Perez announced his candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee on December 15, 2016.[156] He argued that the party needs to go to the suburbs, the exurbs and rural America, and talk to people.[157] Perez gave the keynote speech for the Maryland Democratic Party annual legislative luncheon on January 10, 2017, in Annapolis.[158] Perez promised not to take money from federal lobbyists, foreign nationals, or current Labor Department employees.[159] His candidacy was endorsed by former Vice President Joe Biden and other Obama administration officials.[160]

On February 25, 2017 Perez was elected DNC chair.[161][162] Perez won on the second ballot with 235 votes, beating nearest rival Representative Keith Ellison who earned 200 votes.[161] After winning the election, Perez named Ellison as Deputy Chairman of the DNC.[160] Perez is the first Dominican-American to chair the Democratic National Committee.[163]

In the first electoral contest after he took the chairmanship, The National Republican Congressional Committee substantially outspent the Democratic candidate James Thompson, in a race for the vacant seat in the Kansas 4th Congressional District. State Treasurer Ron Estes won, 52.5% to 45.7%, in a district that favored Donald Trump and Congressman Mike Pompeo, who had resigned his seat to head the CIA, by 30 points.[164]

A Unity Tour which Perez began undertaking in 2017 with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders to promote the DNC received mixed reviews.[165][166] In April 2017, while on the Unity Tour, Perez told a crowd that President Trump and Paul Ryan "don't give a shit about people."[167]

Personal life

Perez with José Tomás Pérez, Dominican Republic Ambassador to the United States

Perez lives in Takoma Park, Maryland, with his wife, Ann Marie Staudenmaier, an attorney with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, and their three children.[168][169]

Perez is Catholic, and recalls that his parents told him, "In order to get to heaven, you have to have letters of reference from poor people."[170]

Awards

In 2014, Perez received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Brown University.[172]

On May 21, 2014, Perez received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Drexel University School of Law.[173]

In May 2014, Perez was given an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Oberlin College.[174]

References

  1. ↑ "Our Campaigns - News - Perez can't be taken off ballot, officials say". August 28, 2006. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  2. ↑ Weigel, David (December 13, 2016). "Labor Secretary Tom Perez will join race to run DNC". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  3. ↑ Dovere, Edward-Isaac (December 14, 2016). "Perez set to make his run for DNC chair official". Politico. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  4. ↑ Dominican American National Roundtable (November 14, 2009). "DANR President Attends Installation Ceremony of Thomas E. Perez as US Assistant Attorney General". danr.org. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014.
  5. 1 2 "HEARINGS before the COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION (APRIL 29, MAY 12, JUNE 24, 2009)". June 24, 2009.
  6. ↑ Cameron W. Barr (April 3, 2005). "Council Chief Builds a Base In the New Montgomery". washingtonpost.com.
  7. ↑ Aamer Madhani (March 18, 2013). "Obama picks Perez to head Labor Department". usatoday.com.
  8. ↑ Peter Baker (March 17, 2013). "Obama Nominates Justice Aide for Labor Post". nytimes.com.
  9. ↑ "Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez '79 to address Downtowners in October". canisiushigh.org. October 27, 2012. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011.
  10. ↑ Mathias Heller (March 18, 2013). "Obama to nominate Perez for Labor Secretary slot". The Brown Daily Herald.
  11. ↑ Mike Allen (March 18, 2013). "REBOOT: immigration reform; engaging Hispanics, Asians, African Americans; catching up to Dems' digital supremacy". politico.com.
  12. ↑ Roberta Rampton, Rachelle Younglai (March 18, 2013). "Obama's labor pick Perez faces Republican scrutiny". reuters.com.
  13. ↑ Dominican American National Roundtable (October 8, 2009). "DANR Applauds Confirmation of Tom Perez as Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Civil Rights Division". danr.org. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014.
  14. ↑ United States Government Printing Office (December 16, 2009). "THE LAW OF THE LAND: U.S. IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS TREATIES HEARING before the SUBCOMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE LAW of the COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION".
  15. ↑ "Civil Rights in 2010 and Beyond: Tom Perez ’87 & the Future of Civil Rights Work". harvard.edu. October 26, 2010.
  16. ↑ United States Government Printing Office (July 26, 2012). "STATEMENT OF THOMAS E. PEREZ ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OVERSIGHT HEARING ON THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION" (PDF). justice.gov.
  17. ↑ Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs (October 9, 2009). "Attorney General Eric Holder Welcomes Thomas E. Perez as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division". justice.gov.
  18. ↑ Associated Press (March 18, 2013). "Biographical information for Thomas Perez". lasvegassun.com.
  19. ↑ Northeastern Illinois University (April 2010). "CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST THOMAS PEREZ TO SPEAK AT COMMENCEMENT". neiu.edu. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010.
  20. ↑ Ben Gemen (March 9, 2013). "Reports: Obama picks civil rights lawyer for Labor secretary". thehill.com.
  21. ↑ University of Minnesota Law School (March 18, 2013). "CIVIL RIGHTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION" (PDF). umn.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2014.
  22. ↑ Devlin Barrett, Melanie Trottman (April 17, 2013). "Labor Pick Faces Backlash Over His Aggressive Record". Wall Street Journal.
  23. ↑ University of Maryland School of Law (March 18, 2013). "President Obama Nominates Thomas E. Perez, Former UM Carey Law Faculty Member, for Secretary of Labor". umaryland.edu. Archived from the original on May 14, 2013.
  24. ↑ Christi Parsons (March 18, 2013). "Obama to nominate Thomas E. Perez as Labor secretary". latimes.com.
  25. 1 2 Noel Barton (January 3, 2003). "Sternbach picked to take over GRP". gazette.net. Maryland Community News Online.
  26. ↑ "Mo Co Summary 5 14 06 - Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO". dclabor.org. May 14, 2006. Archived from the original on July 8, 2007.
  27. ↑ 'Montgomery County Board of Elections (November 5, 2002). "MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND ELECTION RETURNS GENERAL ELECTION". msa.maryland.gov.
  28. ↑ J.J. McGrath (March 9, 2013). "Who Is Thomas Perez, The Presumptive Nominee As US Labor Secretary?". International Business Times. ibtimes.com.
  29. ↑ "Montgomery County Council Legislative Information Services" (PDF). montgomerycountymd.gov. December 2, 2002.
  30. ↑ Lucy Madison (March 18, 2013). "Obama taps Thomas Perez as labor secretary". cbsnews.com.
  31. ↑ "Montgomery County Council From the Office of Council member Tom Perez Perez and Subin to Introduce Bill Focusing on Predatory Lending and Other Discriminatory Housing Practices" (PDF). montgomerycountymd.gov. October 21, 2004.
  32. ↑ "Montgomery County Council From the Offices of Council member Tom Perez and Mike Subin Perez and Subin Push to End Predatory Lending Council members Support Expanding County's Fair Housing Law" (PDF). montgomerycountymd.gov. October 24, 2004.
  33. 1 2 "Tom Perez District 5 Update" (PDF). montgomerycountymd.gov. March 31, 2003.
  34. ↑ Better Business Bureau (March 19, 2013). "BBB BUSINESS REVIEW THIS BUSINESS IS NOT BBB ACCREDITED CareFirst, Inc.". bbb.org.
  35. ↑ "Montgomery County Council Statement by Councilmember Tom Perez on the Rejection of CareFirst Sale" (PDF). montgomerycountymd.gov. March 6, 2003.
  36. ↑ "Montgomery County Council From the Office of Councilmembers Tom Perez & Marilyn Praisner PEREZ, PRAISNER TO ANNOUNCE NEW PUSH ON AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS" (PDF). montgomerycountymd.gov. July 22, 2004.
  37. ↑ "Montgomery County Council" (PDF). montgomerycountymd.gov. September 21, 2004.
  38. ↑ Randall W. Lutter, PhD (November 8, 2005). "Maryland: County Executive Douglas Duncan". fda.gov.
  39. ↑ gpo.gov (August 22, 2006). "IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND SOUTHERN DIVISION MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND Plaintiff, v. MIKE LEAVITT, et al., Defendants" (PDF). gpo.gov.
  40. ↑ Ann W. Parks (May 9, 2006). "LEGAL PROFESSION What's next for Joe Curran? Service, advocacy, a book — oh, and 'one more campaign', but not his own" (PDF). Associated Press. maryland.gov.
  41. 1 2 Andrew A. Green (May 24, 2006). "Perez enters race for attorney general". baltimoresun.com.
  42. ↑ Janel Davis (April 26, 2006). "Dist. 5 future hinges on Curran". gazette.net.
  43. ↑ Matthew Mosk, John Wagner (January 18, 2006). "Duncan Lags Behind Rivals In Campaign Fundraising". Washington Post.
  44. ↑ Sean R. Sedam (July 19, 2006). "Abrams sues over Perez’s eligibility to enter race". gazette.net.
  45. ↑ Eric Rich (August 1, 2006). "Experience Qualifies Perez to Run, Judge Rules". washingtonpost.com.
  46. ↑ Andrea F. Siegle (July 14, 2006). "Suit challenges Perez candidacy". baltimoresun.com.
  47. ↑ Andrea F. Siegle (August 1, 2006). "Perez allowed to keep running". baltimoresun.com.
  48. ↑ Maryland Court of Appeals (August 25, 2006). "Abrams v Lamone, et al." (PDF). courts.state.md.us.
  49. ↑ Steve Vogel, Ernesto Londoño (August 26, 2006). "Court Rejects Perez Bid, Early Voting Law in Md.". washingtonpost.com.
  50. ↑ "Former Bowie State University President to Become Next MHEC Secretary" (PDF). bowiestate.edu. January 26, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 11, 2013.
  51. ↑ David Madland, Karla Walter; United Brotherhood of Carpenters (December 2008). "State and local innovations to protect workers’ rights Maryland" (PDF). carpenters.org.
  52. ↑ Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (March 20, 2008). "Testimony of Thomas E. Perez, Secretary of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation HB 1590 House Economic Matters Committee". dllr.state.md.us. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013.
  53. ↑ Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (May 7, 2009). "Governor O’Malley Signs Workplace Fraud Act of 2009". dllr.maryland.gov. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014.
  54. ↑ John Wahner (May 8, 2007). "Maryland First to Have 'Living Wage' Law". washingtonpost.com.
  55. ↑ "The Talented Mr. Perez". Wall Street Journal. March 19, 2013.
  56. ↑ Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (October 1, 2007). "Division of Labor and Industry NEW LIVING WAGE LAW". dllr.state.md.us. Archived from the original on November 12, 2010.
  57. ↑ Maryland Higher Education Commission (January 2008). "Maryland Higher Education Commission Office of Student Financial Assistance Report Of the Advisory Council on Workforce Shortage" (PDF). mhec.state.md.us. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 3, 2014.
  58. ↑ N.C. Aizenman (October 23, 2008). "Untapped Talents of Educated Immigrants". washingtonpost.com.
  59. ↑ "The Workforce Creation and Adult Education Transition Council" (PDF). marylandpublicschools.org. May 16, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 29, 2011.
  60. ↑ Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (May 16, 2008). "Workforce Creation and Adult Education Workforce Creation and Adult Education Transition ANNOUNCEMENT from Thomas Perez and Nancy Grasmick, Co-chairs of The Workforce Creation and Adult Education Transition Council". dllr.state.md.us. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014.
  61. ↑ Margarita Raycheva (March 20, 2008). "State may shift adult education". gazette.net.
  62. ↑ Andy Rosen (July 22, 2008). "Oversight of adult education in state is moving to DLLR" (PDF). The Daily Record. gnc.org.
  63. ↑ Laura Smitherman (December 8, 2008). "After stumble, Perez on the rise". baltimoresun.com.
  64. ↑ Sari Horwitz, Lena H. Sun (March 9, 2013). "Obama to nominate Thomas Perez as labor secretary". washingtonpost.com.
  65. ↑ Philip Rucker (November 12, 2007). "Liberal Leads The Drive for Slots in Md.". washingtonpost.com.
  66. ↑ Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (August 2007). "Slot Machines and the Racing Industry: A Review of Existing Data in Maryland and Neighboring States" (PDF). maryland.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2013.
  67. ↑ Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. "Secretary Perez Joins Governor O’Malley as He Outlines a Plan to Recapture Slots Revenue for Maryland". dllr.state.md.us. Archived from the original on May 13, 2013.
  68. ↑ Laura Smitherman, Gadi Dechter (November 5, 2008). "Laura Smitherman and Gadi Dechter". Baltimore Sun.
  69. ↑ Nominations Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division - Thomas E. Perez, Judiciary.Senate.gov, accessed October 7, 2009.
  70. ↑ "Marylander Perez may soon take Civil Rights helm at Justice". baltimoresun.com. September 14, 2009.
  71. ↑ Civil Rights Division Nominee Slated for Senate Vote Archived July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.,MainJustice.com, October 5, 2009
  72. 1 2 West, Paul. Senate confirms Perez to civil rights post at Justice, Baltimore Sun, October 7, 2009
  73. ↑ THOMAS Library of Congress (October 6, 2009). "Presidential Nominations 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) PN261-111 Thomas E. Perez, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Wan J. Kim.". thomas.loc.gov.
  74. ↑ Dominican American National Roundtable (April 17, 2013). "DANR and its National Council Support President Obama's Nomination of Tom Perez as the U.S. Secretary of Labor". danr.org. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013.
  75. ↑ United States Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs (March 21, 2011). "Justice Department Issues Letter Regarding Illegal Exclusion of Individuals with HIV/AIDS from Occupational Training and State Licensing". justice.gov.
  76. ↑ United States House Committee on the Judiciary (June 1, 2011). "STATEMENT OF THOMAS E. PEREZ ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OVERSIGHT HEARING ON THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION" (PDF). judiciary.house.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 27, 2013.
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  78. ↑ United States Department of Justice (November 5, 2009). "STATEMENT OF THOMAS E. PEREZ ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONS UNITED STATES SENATE ENTITLED "EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT: ENSURING OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL AMERICANS"" (PDF). justice.gov.
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  80. ↑ United States Department of Justice (March 30, 2010). "Justice Department Settles with New York School District to Ensure Students Have Equal Opportunities". justice.gov.
  81. 1 2 United States Department of Justice (January 14, 2010). "IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MOHAWK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, et. al." (PDF). justice.gov.
  82. ↑ "J.L. v. Mohawk Central School District (Challenging school district's failure to protect a gay student from harassment)". New York Civil Liberties Union. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  83. ↑ Ryan J. Riley (January 15, 2010). "Justice Department Cites Title IX on Behalf of Gay Teen". mainjustice.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013.
  84. ↑ Jeremy White (March 7, 2012). "Gay Bullying Protections Agreed to By Minnesota School District". International Business Times.
  85. ↑ Ricardo Lopez (March 6, 2012). "=Minnesota school district settles suit on bullying of gay students". latimes.com.
  86. ↑ Maria Elena Baca (March 6, 2012). "Anoka-Hennepin school settlement hailed as 'blueprint’". startribune.com.
  87. 1 2 United States Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs (August 10, 2012). "Justice Department Releases Investigative Findings Showing Constitutional Rights of Children in Mississippi Being Violated". justice.gov.
  88. ↑ Michael Martinez (August 10, 2012). "Feds: Mississippi county runs 'school-to-prison pipeline'". cnn.com.
  89. ↑ Elisabeth Kauffman (December 11, 2012). "The Worst "School-to-Prison" Pipeline: Was it in Mississippi?". time.com.
  90. ↑ Jason Ryan (August 10, 2012). "Feds: Authorities in Meridian, Miss. Violated Rights of Black Children". abcnews.go.com.
  91. ↑ Adam Serwer (March 23, 2012). "Meet the Obama Official Investigating the Trayvon Martin Shooting". motherjones.com.
  92. ↑ Associated Press (April 11, 2012). "Attorney General Holder vows thorough review in Trayvon Martin case". cbsnews.com.
  93. ↑ Meredith Rutland (June 20, 2012). "Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee fired in wake of Trayvon Martin case". miamiherald.com.
  94. ↑ Michael Muskal (December 16, 2011). "Justice Department says Seattle police used excessive force". latimes.com.
  95. ↑ Levi Pulkkinen (December 16, 2011). "Feds: Seattle police show 'pattern of excessive force'". seattlepi.com.
  96. ↑ Mike Carter, Steve Miletich (July 27, 2012). "SPD faces new oversight, scrutiny of use of force". seattletimes.com. Archived from the original on May 31, 2013.
  97. 1 2 3 United States Department of Justice (December 15, 2011). "United States' Investigation of the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office" (PDF). justice.gov.
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  99. ↑ "Arizona sheriff challenges Justice Department's request for documents". cnn.com. August 28, 2010.
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  101. ↑ Terry Greene Sterling (December 16, 2011). "Sheriff Joe Arpaio Slammed in Federal Civil Rights Probe Report". thedailybeast.com.
  102. ↑ Marc Lacey (December 15, 2011). "U.S. Finds Pervasive Bias Against Latinos by Arizona Sheriff". nytimes.com.
  103. ↑ United States Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs (May 12, 2012). "Department of Justice Files Lawsuit in Arizona Against Maricopa County, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and Sheriff Joseph Arpaio". justice.gov.
  104. ↑ Amanda Lee Meyers (May 12, 2012). "Will Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio's popularity continue amid lawsuit?". Christian Science Monitor.
  105. ↑ Fernanda Santos, Charlie Savage (May 10, 2012). "Lawsuit Says Sheriff Discriminated Against Latinos". nytimes.com.
  106. ↑ David G. Savage (December 23, 2011). "Justice Department rejects South Carolina voter ID law". latimes.com.
  107. ↑ Evan Perez (December 24, 2011). "South Carolina Voter Law Barred by Administration". Wall Street Journal.
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  109. ↑ Sari Horwitz (March 12, 2012). "Justice Department bars Texas voter ID law". washingtonpost.com.
  110. ↑ United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division (May 12, 2012). "Keith Ingram, Esq. Director of Elections". justice.gov. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013.
  111. ↑ Charlie Savage (May 12, 2012). "Justice Dept. Blocks Texas on Photo ID for Voting". nytimes.com.
  112. ↑ Julián Aguilar (March 12, 2012). "Feds Reject Texas Voter ID Law". texastribune.org.
  113. ↑ Bill Mears (March 12, 2012). "Administration blocks Texas voter ID law". cnn.com.
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  118. ↑ "The Talented Mr. Perez How Obama's Labor nominee muscled a city to drop a Supreme Court case". Wall Street Journal. March 19, 2013.
  119. ↑ Brett Loguirato (March 22, 2013). "Here's Why Republicans Already Hate Obama's Next Cabinet Nominee". Business Insider.
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  123. ↑ Mascaro, Lisa; Lee, Don (March 10, 2013). "Obama to name civil rights enforcer Thomas Perez as Labor secretary". Los Angeles Times.
  124. ↑ "UFW applauds Labor Secretary nominee Tom Perez’s challenge to Arizona anti-immigrant law, looking forward to another champion for farm workers’ rights" (Press release). United Farm Workers of America. March 18, 2013.
  125. ↑ Kuhnhenn, Jim; Hannanel, Sam (March 18, 2013). "Obama nominates Justice official to top Labor slot". Las Vegas Sun. Associated Press.
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Civic offices
Preceded by
Derick Berlage		 Member of the Montgomery County Council
from the 5th district
2002–2006 		Succeeded by
Valerie Ervin
Political offices
Preceded by
James Fielder		 Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
2007–2009 		Succeeded by
Alexander Sanchez
Preceded by
Hilda Solis		 United States Secretary of Labor
2013–2017 		Succeeded by
Alex Acosta
Legal offices
Preceded by
Wan Kim		 United States Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
2009–2013 		Succeeded by
Joycelyn Samuels
Acting
Party political offices
Preceded by
Donna Brazile
Acting		 Chair of the Democratic National Committee
2017–present 		Incumbent
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