Democratic National Convention: Wasserman Schultz will not gavel in convention, bowing to heavy opposition

By Sean Sullivan and Anne Gearan PoliticsJuly 25 at 2:26 PM
PHILADELPHIA — Outgoing Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz will not gavel in the party’s national convention Monday, bowing to heavy opposition from party activists following the leak of a trove of embarrassing DNC emails.

“I have decided that in the interest of making sure that we can start the Democratic convention on a high note that I am not going to gavel in the convention,” Wasserman Schultz told the Sun Sentinel newspaper in Florida, which first reported the news.

Her decision was one of many dramatic developments during a day of discord that threatened to distract from high-profile speeches meant to convey Democratic unity on the first day of the convention. The FBI said it was investigating the email breach that triggered much of the friction over the weekend.


Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was cheered by supporters at a rally Monday afternoon when he smiled and told a cheering crowd that the Florida congresswoman’s departure would “open the door” for new leaders to take the reins.

“Her resignation opens up the possibility of new leadership at the top of the Democratic Party that will stand with working people,” Sanders said.

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