Labor Secretary Thomas Perez “has told three senior Democrats that he intends to run for chairman of the Democratic National Committee, challenging the front-running candidate, Rep. Keith Ellison, and inserting an ally of President Obama into the contest to rebuild a bruised party,” the New York Times reports.

“Mr. Perez, who had also been considering a run for Maryland governor, is expected to reveal his plan to seek the D.N.C. chairmanship this week.”