South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has again fanned the flames of speculation over whether he'l…

South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg isn't going anywhere for now.

Pete Buttigieg says: "I am staying focused on South Bend, but I do care deeply about where our country is headed."

Frequently Asked Questions about the DNC

Who makes up the DNC?

The Democratic National Committee consists of 447 members from all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. Of the total, 112 slots go to state party chairs and vice chairs, 208 slots go to state parties to fill, 48 slots got to national Democratic groups and 75 slots are appointed by the DNC chair.

What is the DNC’s role?

Its primary purpose is to provide political and fund-raising support for Democrats in local, state and national elections. The DNC also sets rules for Democratic presidential caucuses and primaries as well as organize the party’s national convention and platforms.

How is the DNC chairperson selected?

If a Democrat is in the White House, the president will usually hand-pick the DNC chair to be approved by the members. If not, candidates endure a multi-week campaign process with members at regional forums. This year’s forums will be held at Phoenix (Jan. 13-14), Houston (Jan. 27-28), Detroit (Feb. 3-4) and Baltimore (Feb. 10-11). DNC members will vote for its next chair and leadership officers Feb. 24.

Who is running for 2017 DNC Chair?

Declared candidates as of Thursday are:

• Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend since 2011

• Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party since 2007

• Keith Ellison, U.S. Rep. from Minnesota since 2007

• Thomas Perez, U.S. Secretary of Labor since 2013

• Sally Boynton Brown, executive director of the Idaho Democratic Party since 2012

• Jaime Harrison, chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party since 2013

Past DNC chairs since 2000

Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania, and Joseph Andrew, Indiana, co-chairs (1999-01); Terry McAuliffe, Virginia (2001-05); Howard Dean, Vermont (2005-09); Tim Kaine, Virginia (2009-11); *Donna Brazile, Louisiana (2011); Debbie Wasserman Schultz (2011-2016); and *Donna Brazile (2016-present).

*Interim