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ATLANTA The battle over electing new Democratic Party officials has revealed the growing populist energy within the party, which could fuel an electoral turnaround but also risks turning against the establishment.

Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez won a narrow second-ballot victory to become Democratic National Committee chairman over Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, disappointing the partys progressive wing that latched on to Sen. Bernie Sanders during last years primary campaign. Despite Ellisons defeat, the burgeoning power of the partys left flank was evident on a number of fronts.

Democrats choose their next party chairman on Saturday in a highly contested race, amid struggles by the party to find its footing after losses at the federal and state levels. WSJ's Jeanne Cummings outlines the race and the candidates on Lunch Break with Tanya Rivero. Photo: Getty

Restive activists threatened to support primary challenges to elected Democrats seen as not liberal enough, creating tension reminiscent of the tea-party wave that began targeting Republicans deemed as too moderate beginning in 2009. Liberals also pushed for the party to limit corporate donations to the DNC. Their voices erupted when Perez won the contested race for DNC chairman and dissidents drowned out the proceedings with chants of, Party for the people, not big money.

Divisions were so evident throughout the three-day gathering that both Perez and Ellison begged their supporters to stick together and with the party to fight their common foe, Republican President Donald Trump. When we have these conversations, sometimes difficult, sometimes spirited, thats not a sign of weakness, said Perez, who moved to appease dissidents by naming Ellison as DNC deputy chairman. Thats a sign of strength.

An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.

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Are populist liberals giving Democrats their own tea-party moment? - MarketWatch