Breaking News: Debbie Wasserman Schultz Elected DNC Chair
Moments ago, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was elected to be chair of the Democratic National Committee. Adding this new position to her distinguished resume, Rep. Wasserman Schultz joins President Obama at the helm of the Democratic Party and formalizes her role as a visionary and strategic voice for Democrats across the country.
First elected to the Florida House of Representatives at the age of 26, Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s story is one of perseverance. In that first election, she knocked on more than 25,000 doors, won with 64 percent of the vote, and became the youngest woman ever elected to the Florida House.
After serving in both the Florida House and Senate, Wasserman Schultz was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida’s 20th Congressional district, and her reputation as a leader and lawmaker only grew.
She was elected by her peers to serve as vice chair of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, working to communicate Democratic priorities to the public, and also serves as a chief deputy whip, advancing Democrats’ legislative priorities.
Donna Brazile, Interim Chair and Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation, spoke to those qualities:
As I look forward to Debbie’s leadership, I know one thing as sure as sunrise: She will stand her ground. And she won’t back down.
When those Republicans want to cut Medicare and Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, Debbie will stand her ground. And she won’t back down.
When those Republicans try to take the next election by taking the vote away from people of color, women, young people and seniors, Debbie will stand her ground. And she won’t back down.
And when those Republicans refuse to extend unemployment insurance, when they are less concerned about helping Americans earn their paychecks than preventing them from carrying union cards, and when their answer to losing 200,000 jobs is to say “So be it” – Debbie will stand her ground. And she won’t back down. And neither will we Democrats, not this year, not next year, not ever.
Rep. Wasserman Schultz is a leader and role model, a mother and cancer survivor, and a tireless advocate for values of opportunity, fairness, and equality. Her term as DNC chair begins immediately.