Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge will serve as the permanent chair of the Democratic National Convention set to take place in Philadelphia, Pa., July 25-28. The DNC rules committee decided Saturday Fudge would take over following a massive leak of nearly 20,000 DNC emails attempting to sabotage former Democratic presidential hopeful, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s campaign in favor of presumed nominee Hillary Clinton.
“I thank Secretary Clinton and her team for recommending me to serve as the permanent chair of the 2016 Democratic National Convention,” Fudge, who represents Ohio’s 11th district which includes Cleveland and Akron, said in a statement released Saturday.
“It is an honor for me and the people of Ohio. I am happy to serve and look forward to a great convention and our ongoing efforts as we work together for a strong party and a successful election,” Fudge continued. “Together we make America Stronger.”
Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz will not be speaking or presiding over this week’s convention at all and is set to be joining the Clinton campaign in an “official” role.
Former Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver tried to show a unified Democratic Party on Monday in the wake of Wasserman Schultz announcing her resignation.
“This happened, we knew it happened then, now is the time to go forward,’ Weaver told CNN’s Chris Cuomo on “New Day” on Monday. “Now is the time to elect Hillary Clinton and defeat Donald Trump.”
Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid wanted Schultz out even before the leaked DNC emails scandal broke, but House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi didn’t cooperate with the plan, sources said.
Sanders, who will address the convention Monday night in prime time, issued a statement calling for a new direction for the party that would welcome the working class and young voters — and remain neutral in future Democratic primary contests.
“Debbie Wasserman Schultz has made the right decision for the future of the Democratic Party,” Sanders said.
“While she deserves thanks for her years of service, the party now needs new leadership that will open the doors of the party and welcome in working people and young people,” he added. “The party leadership must also always remain impartial in the presidential nominating process, something which did not occur in the 2016 race.”
DNC Vice Chair Donna Brazile will serve as interim chair through the election, it was announced Sunday.
Butter Bracco - Roxanne "Butter" Bracco began with the Dispatch as Pittsburgh Correspondent, but will be providing reports and insights from Washington DC, Maryland and the surrounding region.
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