Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D., Fla.), chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, repeatedly refused Wednesday to answer questions about the primary challenge she faces in her reelection to Congress, saying she is only focused on representing her home district and getting a Democrat elected president.
Appearing on MSNBC’s Meet the Press Daily, Wasserman Schultz did not appear interested in talking about her own congressional campaign.
Host Steve Kornacki described how Wasserman Schultz is being challenged in Florida’s Democratic primary by Tim Canova, a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) who has received nearly $1 million in contributions. At least some of this money has come from Sanders supporters in small sums similar to how the Vermont Senator has gotten money during his presidential campaign.
"Very unusual for a challenger, especially going up against somebody in leadership, to bring in that kind of money," Kornacki said to Wasserman Schultz. "Some of this money it seems like, maybe a lot of it, is coming from Bernie Sanders supporters in small dollars who do not necessarily think you’ve been a fair arbiter in this primary process. How do you read that opposition you’re facing here?"
"I’m focused on two things: one, continuing to serve my constituents that have given me the privilege of representing them ... and two, making sure that we do everything we can to elect a Democratic president," the DNC chair said in response.
Kornacki followed up by noting that Canova says he has sent three letters to Wasserman Schultz asking to hold a debate before the primary but has not received a response.
"Let me ask you here, will you debate your primary opponent before the August primary?" Kornacki asked.
"Steve, I"m focused on the two things that I just said," Wasserman Schultz responded before repeating her prior answer.
Kornacki pressed her to address his question, and Wasserman Schulz told the MSNBC host she is on the show to only speak as the DNC chair.
"So I’m happy to talk to you about the presidential campaign, which is why I’m here, and I’ve answered your questions," Wasserman Schultz added.
"Hold on now, you haven’t answered this question," Kornacki said with a look of disbelief. "You’re a candidate for reelection. I think it’s a legitimate question. Will you debate your opponent in your race for reelection?"
"Steve, again, I’m going to continue to focus on representing my constituents to the best of my ability ... and making sure as DNC chair I help do everything we can to elect a Democratic president. Those are my two responsibilities," Wasserman Schultz said.
The segment then ended, with Kornacki thanking the DNC chair for her time.
It is unclear if Wasserman Schultz is in trouble in her home district, but one longtime Florida Democratic activist told Politico that "Debbie Wasserman Schultz is going to have a run for her money - a million bucks worth and counting."
Wasserman Schultz has come under fire as DNC chair during this election cycle with some commentators and Sanders supporters accusing her of rigging the Democratic primary in favor of Hillary Clinton.
The DNC chair has had a rocky relationship with the Sanders campaign throughout the election process and has said the Vermont Senator is wrong when he criticizes the Democratic primary’s rules.