WASHINGTON – Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement:
 
“I have been privileged to serve as the DNC Chair for five and a half years helping to re-elect President Obama and Vice President Biden, strengthening our State Party Partnership in all 50 states, leading a vigorous primary election this past year while preparing for the general election and representing millions of Democrats across the country. I couldn’t be more excited that Democrats are nominating our first woman presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, a friend I have always believed in and know will be a great President.
 
“We arrived here in Philadelphia with the most inclusive and progressive platform the party has ever proposed and a unified recommendation from the Rules Committee on our path forward as Democrats. I am proud of my role in leading these efforts.
 
“My first priority has always been serving the people of the 23rd district of Florida and I look forward to continuing to do that as their member of Congress for years to come. As the mother of my three amazing children and the Representative of Florida’s 23rd congressional district, I know that electing Hillary Clinton as our next president is critical for America’s future. I look forward to serving as a surrogate for her campaign in Florida and across the country to ensure her victory.
 
“Going forward, the best way for me to accomplish those goals is to step down as Party Chair at the end of this convention. 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. We have planned a great and unified Convention this week and I hope and expect that the DNC team that has worked so hard to get us to this point will have the strong support of all Democrats in making sure this is the best convention we have ever had.
 
“I’ve been proud to serve as the first woman nominated by a sitting president as Chair of the Democratic National Committee and I am confident that the strong team in place will lead our party effectively through this election to elect Hillary Clinton as our 45th president.”
 
During her historic five and a half year tenure, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz:
 

• Reinvested in the State Party Partnerships that were the hallmark of the 50 State Strategy begun by one of her predecessors.
• Successfully paid off the 2012 election debt entirely.
• Increased investments in the state parties by 50% over the previous baseline, while investing in national infrastructure like our voter file, communications, digital and research support for state parties that's making a difference nationwide.
• Has been a fierce advocate and tireless fighter for progressive ideals and the safety and security of hardworking American families.
• The DNC has stood up the coordinated campaigns our Party needs to win up and down the ballot in November.
• The Party has recruited, trained, and mobilized top talent in everything from research, to communications, to social media and voter targeting. That means that in addition to the data and analytics advantage our Party has leveraged in the last two presidential elections, we now have a field and outreach edge in battleground states.
• Advanced the most progressive platform in Party history, bringing the broad spectrum of our party together and integrating the best ideas of our campaigns.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has served her constituents in South Florida for nearly 25 years after having been the youngest woman elected to the Florida state legislature – at 26 – and the first Jewish woman elected to the U.S. Congress from the state of Florida.
 
She's used her voice and her vote to support a $15 minimum wage, was a champion for the Affordable Care Act, and is the lead sponsor in Congress to fully fund the Zika virus crisis which is a major health concern in her home state of Florida and across the country.