Two Jewish candidates for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee—former U.S. Rep. Martin Frost of Texas and New Democratic Network founder Simon Rosenberg— say they are rolling up endorsements in anticipation of the party's Feb. 12 balloting to pick a successor for the outgoing chairman Terry McAuliffe

Frost, who had served as a House Democratic Caucus Campaign Chairman during his tenure in Congress, has announced his supporters include New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid, former DNC Chair Robert Strauss, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex).

Rosenberg, a Washington D.C. resident, lists among his backers former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, Ohio Democratic House Leader Chris Redfern, San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, former DNC chair Joe Andrew, former White House (Clinton) Press Secretary Mike McCurry, and former Howard Dean Campaign Chair Joe Trippi.

Dean, the former governor of Vermont and a 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, is among five other candidates who are considered leaders in the competition to become the Democratic party's top leader. Others are former U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer of Indiana, former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, former Ohio Democratic chairman David Leland and Donnie Fowler, a Democratic party activist.           —Donald H. Harrison