Debbie Wasserman Schultz Faces Tough Primary Without Help From Democratic Campaign Arm

PHILADELPHIA ― Outgoing Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz shouldn’t expect financial help from House Democrats’ campaign committee in her tough congressional primary race.

Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who said she would step down as chair of the DNC after an email leak revealed that staffers tried to undermine Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) presidential campaign, was “right” to quit, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told reporters Monday. He acknowledged her primary race will be difficult, but that doesn’t mean the party’s campaign arm will help.

“Typically where our resources go ... those go to the most competitive races in America,” Lujan said. “That’s the priority that we have.”

Lujan added that the emails in question ― the final straw for party officials who’d been calling for Wasserman Schultz’s resignation for months ― should never have been written.

“They don’t have any place in this conversation or discourse,” Lujan said. “And namely the email that I’m referring to is the one talking about Sen. Sanders and religion ― that was ugly.”

The DCCC would be willing to help Wasserman Schultz with technical advice if she asks for it, Lujan said.

“We never spend money in safe seats,” said Kelly Ward, DCCC executive director.

Wasserman Schultz faces a Democratic primary challenge from Tim Canova, a law professor backed by Sanders who has raised more than $2 million.