Marianne Williamson isn't giving up on Democrats, throwing her hat in the ring to be the new chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). After two unsuccessful Democratic primary presidential runs,

I feel that in order for the Democrats to rise like a phoenix from the ashes of our electoral defeat, we need to look at more than just the outer issues, such as data analysis and field organizing and fundraising,

Williamson joins a steadily growing field in the race to replace outgoing DNC chair Jamie Harrison that includes former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley, Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler, Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party chair Ken Martin, and New York State Senator James Skoufis . She’s the first woman to join the race.

Before entering politics, Williamson was largely known as a self-help guru who wrote on matters of spiritualism; her work was supported by talk-show magnate Oprah Winfrey, to whom she became an informal adviser.

She joins a handful of other declared candidates for DNC chair, including Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler and Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party chair Ken Martin and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley. Jamie Harrison, the current chairman, isn't running for reelection.

"My experience of what went wrong has given me insight into what needs doing to make things right," Williamson wrote Thursday.

Former Democratic Party presidential candidate Marianne Williamson has announced her candidacy to chair the Democratic National Committee.

Author and former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson announced Thursday she’s running to lead the Democratic National Committee.

Ms. Williamson, 72, most likely faces long odds in her bid for party chair. A number of party officials, including the former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley, are jostling for the job. The current chair, Jaime Harrison, is not seeking re-election. Ms. Williamson is the first woman to formally enter the race.