WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Obama has named U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz as the Democratic Party’s chief fundraiser.
Wasseman Schultz (D-Fla.), a party star since she was first elected in 2004, was tapped Tuesday to chair the Democratic National Committee, Politico reported. She succeeds former Virgina Gov. Tim Kaine, who is running for his state’s U.S. Senate seat in 2012.
The top job at the DNC generally requires proven fundraising skills, which Wasserman Schultz is said to have in abundance.
A cancer survivor with young children, Wasserman Schultz, 44, has emerged over the years as a key party spokeswoman on women’s, health and Jewish issues.
In her freshman term she authored the legislation that established Jewish Heritage Month.
It’s not clear yet if Wasserman Schultz will keep her seat. Some of her predecessors have kept lawmaker roles, while others have devoted all their time to the DNC.
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