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U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison wants to "be all in to meet the challenge" of chairing the Democratic National Committee. 

That means resigning his seat in Congress representing Minnesota's 5th District if elected DNC chair in February, he said in a statement Wednesday.

He previously thought he could hold down both jobs, but changed his mind, citing the the DNC chair's travel, planning and fundraising responsibilities. 

Ellison was born and raised in Detroit and moved to Minneapolis for law school in 1990.  He was the first Muslim elected to Congress when he initially won his seat in 2006. 

Through a spokesman, Ellison declined an interview request.

Ellison states his case for DNC chair

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, another liberal stalwart, endorsed him shortly after. However, Ellison's also faced pushback from some in his party who believe he's too liberal and would take the party in the wrong direction.
 
Gov. Mark Dayton said he supports Ellison's decision and his candidacy. 

"He has, I think, very strong credibility," the DFL governor said. "I think being a Muslim-American is really an important statement that we are a party that's going to be inclusive. [He's an] African American-leader and just an outstanding congressman and representative of Minnesota."

Dayton said he will call a special election to fill the 5th District vacancy, should it occur.

The district, which covers the city of Minneapolis and several nearby suburbs, is one of the safest in the country for Democrats. That's why several DFL office holders are considering a bid to replace Ellison.

Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, has said he plans to run if Ellison leaves, and Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, DFL-Minneapolis is also a potential candidate.   

Jeff Hayden, another DFL state senator of Minneapolis, said he's talking to his family and supporters about running.

"I'm not ready to say that I'm ready to run," he said. "But I certainly want to take a look to see if the body of work that I've done and some of the great ideas that we have around wage inequality and around self-determination and work, if those things that we've been able to do and I've been able to help be a part of in Minnesota, are those things transferable on the national level."

Frank Drake ran against Ellison in November and lost by wide margin. Still, Drake says he's organized and ready to go again in a special election. 

"I grew up in Minnesota, Minneapolis all my life," Drake said. "I've been around Minneapolis politics all my life. I just want to see Congress act in a way that represents all the people."

Drake could have company. Despite the district's strong DFL history, Minnesota Republican Party chairman Keith Downey said he thinks other GOP candidates will look at running.

"Given the circumstances, an open seat, some of the dynamics of this most recent election, I think people would be excited about competing for that," Downey said. "The party will compete for it. So, it's very possible maybe even likely that other people will be intrigued enough to jump in."

If Ellison were to lead the DNC, Downey said, Democrats would be "lurching even further leftward" after big election losses.

"Democrats are ready for a massive comeback," his statement said.

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Minnesota DFL Rep. Keith Ellison said Wednesday he'd resign his U.S. House of Representatives seat if elected Democratic National Committee Chair in February.

Rep. Ellison says he'll quit House if elected DNC chair

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