Washington - United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday selected Florida congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to serve as chairperson of the Democratic National Committee for the 2012 election cycle, Democratic officials said.
Wasserman Schultz will lead the party as it prepares for Obama's re-election campaign in 2012. A popular draw on the fund-raising circuit, Wasserman Schultz is also a frequent television commentator for Democrats.
Wasserman Schultz will replace Tim Kaine as DNC chair. Kaine, a former governor of Virginia, announced plans to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Senator Jim Webb.
Wasserman Schultz, 44, represents Florida, which is a critical battleground state in presidential elections. She is a breast cancer survivor.
Vice-President Joe Biden said in an email to Democratic supporters that in selecting Wasserman Schultz, Obama noted her “tenacity, her strength, her fighting spirit, and her ability to overcome adversity”. - Reuters