Debbie Wasserman Schultz
DemocratU.S. Representative, FL-25| Age | 59 (b. 1966-09-27) |
| Gender | Female |
| In office since | 2005-01-04 (~21 yrs) |
| Race / ethnicity | White (Ashkenazi Jewish) |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Education | Graduated Half Hollow Hills High School East (Dix Hills, NY), 1984; B.A. in political science, University of Florida, 1988; M.A. in political science with a certificate in political campaigning, University of Florida, 1990. |
| Prior occupation | Legislative aide to U.S. Representative Peter Deutsch (1988-1992); later adjunct instructor at Broward Community College and public policy curriculum specialist at Nova Southeastern University. |
| Military service | No |
| Birthplace | Forest Hills, Queens, New York |
| Marital status | Married — Steve Schultz |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Weston, Florida |
| Notable relatives | Brother Steven Wasserman is an assistant United States attorney for the District of Columbia. |
Pending research: languages · openly lgbtq.
Career & politics
| First elected | 2004 |
| Previous offices | Florida House of Representatives (1992-2000) · Florida State Senate (2000-2004) |
| Committees | House Committee on Appropriations · Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies · Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies · Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies |
| Caucuses | New Democrat Coalition · Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus · Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus · Black Maternal Health Caucus · Congressional Solar Caucus |
| Leadership | Chair, Democratic National Committee (2011-2016) · Chief Deputy Whip, House Democratic Caucus · Co-Chair, House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee (2023-present) |
| Ideology | Member of the centrist New Democrat Coalition; generally rated a mainstream/establishment Democrat. |
| Signature legislation | Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (2007) · Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act for breast cancer awareness (2010) · Stopping Tax Offenders and Prosecuting Identity Theft (STOP) Act (2013) |
Financial
Net worth: disclosed $-2,474,988–$-642,004 (2023) · estimate
| Personal residence (real estate) | real_estate · $375,000–$375,000 · 2018 |
| Charles Schwab deposit account | other · $15,001–$50,000 · 2018 |
Top donors: American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) affiliated donors ($519,842)
Top industries: Pro-Israel · Lawyers/Law Firms · Retired
Scandals & crimes ledger
dismissed — FEC Matter Under Review 7125 — DNC Resource Use for Congressional Campaign
Primary challenger Tim Canova filed an FEC complaint in 2016 alleging Wasserman Schultz improperly used her position as DNC Chair and DNC resources (including staff and consulting services) to benefit her congressional campaign without proper reporting. The FEC opened MUR 7125 and investigated, ultimately voting 4-2 to dismiss all allegations in 2021 under prosecutorial discretion. No fine or penalty was assessed.