The embattled chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee has announced she’s stepping down at the end of the week.
“Going forward, the best way for me to accomplish those goals [of winning the presidency for Hillary Clinton] is to step down as Party Chair at the end of this convention,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “As Party Chair, this week I will open and close the Convention and I will address our delegates about the stakes involved in this election not only for Democrats, but for all Americans.”
The announcement came just hours after Sen. Bernie Sanders had called on her to quit.
“I think she should resign, period, and I think we need a new chair who is going to lead us in a very different direction,” said Sanders earlier Sunday. ““It is an outrage, and it’s sad that you would have people in important positions in the DNC trying to undermine my campaign.”
The issue is over 20,000 leaked DNC emails which show Wasserman Schultz opposed his presidential bid and was not partial during the primary season.
Wasserman Schultz, who has not discussed the emails, does not plan to speak at the convention.
Sanders says he remains committed to helping Clinton defeat Donald Trump in November. He will address the delegates Monday night.
President Obama praised her service to the DNC saying, “For the last eight years, Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has had my back. This afternoon, I called her to let her know that I am grateful.”
Donna Brazile, a Democratic Party stalwart, will serve as interim chair. Brazile will leave CNN where she has worked as a political analyst.