Granholm Possible DNC Replacement for Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s name is among those being tossed around to succeed Debbie Wasserman Schultz as the chair of the Democratic National Committee, according to media reports. Wasserman Schultz said in a statement Sunday that she will step down at the end of Democrat Hillary Clinton’s nominating convention this week in Philadelphia.

The Florida congresswoman's resignation comes after a series of emails leaked by WikiLeaks that allegedly showed the DNC was working to undermine the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Wasserman Schultz said she would open and close the convention and address the delegates.

“My first priority has always been serving the people of the 23rd district of Florida and I look forward to continuing to do that as their member of Congress for years to come," she said in the statement. "As the mother of three amazing children and the Representative of Florida's 23rd congressional district, I know that electing Hillary Clinton as our next president is critical for America's future. I look forward to serving as a surrogate for her campaign in Florida and across the country to ensure her victory.

“Going forward, the best way for me to accomplish those goals is to step down as Party Chair at the end of this convention.”

Granholm, who served as Michigan’s governor from 2003-2011 and as attorney general for one four-year term before that, is a longtime Clinton ally. She was an early backer of Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign, and is currentlya senior advisor to the Clinton-affiliated super PAC, Correct the Record, which is working to get the former secretary of state elected.

Granholm said in an email to the Detroit Free Press that she hasn’t put her name in the replace Wasserman Schultz. Democratic political consultant Donna Brazile will serve as an interim chairwoman of the DNC until after the Nov. 8 general election, when the position will be permanently filled.

Stories that she’s a contender for the post is “news to me,” Granholm told The Detroit News.

Granholm told the Free Press that she thinks Brazile will “be great” in the interim role.

Granholm is expected to address delegates at the Democratic National Convention this week, though it’s not clear when she will speak.

— Additional reporting by Feroze Dhanoa of Patch.com’s national desk in New York.

— Image: Center for American Progress via Flickr / Creative Commons