Clinton to welcome scrutinized party chairwoman onto campaign

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will have a new campaign staffer after the party’s national convention ends July 28, according to an official press release.

The Democrats’ current chair, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Miami), who announced her resignation Sunday, will serve as an “honorary chair” for Clinton’s nationwide campaign program, according the candidate’s administration.

Just one day ahead of the Democratic National Convention, Clinton said Wasserman Shultz is an asset to her campaign for president, even as hacked emails raised suspicions.

“There’s simply no one better at taking the fight to the Republicans than Debbie — which is why I am glad that she has agreed to serve as honorary chair of my campaign’s 50-state program to gain ground and elect Democrats in every part of the country,” she wrote in a press release.

She also called Wasserman Shultz a good friend and thanked her for landing the convention in Philadelphia.

Wikileaks released the hacked emails, which immediately turned a spotlight on Wasserman Shultz, who has faced criticism for seeming to favor Clinton before a party nominee was declared.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has been Wasserman Shultz’ loudest critic. He has challenged her leadership, claiming that he was not given a fair chance at the Democratic nomination.

“The party leadership must always remain impartial in the presidential nominating process, something which did not occur in the 2016 race,” Sanders said on Twitter.

Waserman Shultz said she will leave her position after the convention ends. DNC kicks off July 25 and ends four days later.

Though he insisted her resignation be immediate, Sanders applauded her resignation.

Sanders Statement on DNC Chair Resignation pic.twitter.com/xMA60mnBIT

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 24, 2016