Meet Debbie

IMG_1696Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a tenacious, hard-working, passionate advocate and tireless fighter for progressive values and the safety and security of families and children in Florida’s 25th Congressional District and across America.

Born in New York and raised on Long Island, Wasserman Schultz’ parents raised her to believe that one person could make a difference and to always reach for the top in everything she does. Involvement in student government at the University of Florida, combined with her strong belief in the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – inspired her toward making public service a lifetime calling.

photoDebbie Wasserman Schultz is a trailblazer who has knocked down barriers and shattered glass ceilings. After winning 53 percent of the vote in a six-person primary in 1992, at age 26, she became the youngest woman (at that time) elected to the Florida Legislature. In 2004, she became the first Jewish woman ever elected to represent Florida in Congress.

Endorsed in 2016 by more than 50 South Florida and national labor unions, human rights, equality, environmental and women’s organizations, Wasserman Schultz is intensely focused on issues key to the success of families from all walks of life: expanding access to health care and lowering costs; improving the quality of life for children and families; protecting women’s reproductive freedom; safeguarding Social Security and Medicare; standing up for equality for all and ensuring that our brave service men and women and first responders have the support they need to do their jobs.

DSC_0052Wasserman Schultz is the author of For the Next Generation, a call to service for any and all Americans who wish to make a difference for future generations through public service.

Working Mother

Wasserman Schultz lives in Weston, in the 25th Congressional District with her husband, Steve, and their three children. All three children attend Broward County public schools.

In 2004, as Wasserman Schultz embarked on her first Congressional campaign, a reporter called Wasserman Schultz to inform her that her opponent, also a woman, had seen her at a candidate forum using a peach crayon to take notes instead of a pen. She said this was an example of the “frazzled” life Wasserman Schultz lived, and demonstrated she would be unable to balance the demands of motherhood and Congresswoman.

Wasserman Schultz said to the reporter in response to her opponent’s attack, “The only thing that shows is that I didn’t have a pen. As a mom, I am often without a pen but I’m never without a crayon.”

You can say anything you want about me, but do not question my parenting. The only thing that shows is that as a mom, I’m often without a pen, but I’m never without a crayon.”

Wasserman Schultz has proudly balanced work and family like thousands of her constituents do every day.

Courageous Fighter and Cancer Survivor

In 2008, while campaigning for then Senator Barack Obama, Wasserman Schultz quietly faced her own personal battle with breast cancer. After seven surgeries, winning her own reelection, and electing the first African American President to the White House, she told the world her cancer story by introducing the Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act – the EARLY Act.

This law provides critical funds and directs the Centers for Disease Control to educate young women and health care providers that young women in fact can and do get breast cancer and build awareness for those women who are at higher or genetic risk for this disease.

Effective Congresswoman

Wasserman Schultz has served most of her legislative service in the minority party. That has not stopped her from working across the aisle to find common ground with her Republican colleagues. Wasserman Schultz will work with everyone and anyone to ensure that our children are protected, that women have access to quality health care and the tools to be their own best health care advocates, and that senior citizens have the safety net they have paid into and are protected from identify thieves.

Legislative accomplishments include:

Wasserman Schultz was the lead co-sponsor of the PALS Act, which passed as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2016. This legislation established a two year moratorium on screening standards for mammography after conflicting standards were recommended by multiple organizations. The PALS requires a review of the standards and a consensus recommendation so that women have clear direction on when to begin screening mammography.

Congressional Leadership Roles:

Congressional Caucus Memberships:

Strong National Democratic Leader

President Barack Obama tapped Wasserman Schultz to lead the Democratic National Committee as Chair during his re-election campaign. In just 17 months and while maintaining her record as an effective member of Congress for Florida’s 25th district, she traveled across America campaigning for President Obama and Democrats up and down the ballot. This is all in addition to running her own re-election campaign which she won in a landslide victory.

Following the re-election, Wasserman Schultz was asked by the President to serve another term at the Democratic National Committee. She helped to drive the operation and pay down the $24 million in campaign debt following the 2012 presidential election and prepare the committee for the 2016 primary and general elections. Wasserman Schultz is only the third woman to serve as DNC Chair and the first to be nominated by a sitting President. Her term ended in July of 2016.

In July of 2016, Wasserman Schultz was appointed by Hillary Clinton to serve as honorary chair of her presidential campaign’s 50-state program.

Standing Against Extreme Republicans

As a member of Congress and as chair of the DNC, Wasserman Schultz has provided a consistently strong voice standing up against extreme GOP actions and policies.

Proud Liberal

Wasserman Schultz is a recognized Florida and national progressive leader who fights tirelessly on behalf of legislation that will protect women, children, and seniors.

She supports a $15 minimum wage, comprehensive immigration reform, gun control and safety reform, and a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions.