Wasserman Schultz Named DCCC Vice Chair

by Walter Alarkon - 12/08/08 4:42 PM ET

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) will again help run the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), focusing this cycle on House Democrats facing tough reelection battles.

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) on Monday named Wasserman Schultz the vice chairwoman for incumbent retention.

“It is so important that we assist our incumbent Members with the money, messaging and outreach they will need to get reelected in the 2010 election cycle,” she said in a statement.

Last cycle, she was the co-chairwoman of the committee’s Red-to-Blue program, which sought to assist Democrats challenging House Republican incumbents. Wasserman was criticized by liberal bloggers earlier this year for failing to attack House GOP members from Florida.

Democrats in 2010 will seek to retain seats in 83 districts won by President Bush in 2004. Republicans hold seats in only five districts that Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) won in 2004.

Van Hollen plans to select two more vice chairmen, one who will focus on finding candidates and another who will seek to increase House member participation in DCCC efforts.