On January 22, 2013, Gabbard was elected vice-chair of the DNC with the support of the Obama administration, a great honor and reward reserved for only the most loyal supporters.
“WASHINGTON – Freshman Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard was among a slate of new leaders elected to the Democratic National Committee today. Gabbard, elected as a vice-chairwoman, was among the incoming leaders approved after a messy fight that highlighted strains with the White House and the DNC over what should have been a routine election of a new slate of officers. Gabbard said in a news release that she sees here role as a “great opportunity to let Hawaii’s voice be heard on a national platform.” As expected, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida was given another term as national party chairwoman. But below that level, chaos reigned for a time as DNC members balked at rubber-stamping a White House-approved list of replacements for several veterans of the pre-Obama era.”
On January 23, 2013, a press report described, in detail, how Gabbard was personally recruited to the DNC by Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, who was Obama’s pick to run the organization.
“U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard says her new post as a vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee will help raise Hawaii’s profile on the national political landscape. Gabbard, 31, a freshman congresswoman and one of the chamber’s youngest members, was among a slate of new leaders approved Tuesday to serve as DNC officers for President Barack Obama’s second term. “I really saw it as an opportunity to … bring Hawaii’s voice to the national stage in this setting representing what we cherish in Hawaii – aloha – and a different way of doing things,” Gabbard said in a telephone interview. “That’s really where I see the greatest opportunity.”
“As we see such division all across the country, we really need to be in a position to provide strong leadership that focuses on serving the people rather than on divisiveness.” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, who was unanimously re-elected as chairwoman, nominated all of the new officers for a vote before a meeting of DNC members from all 50 states and territories. Gabbard, who was approved by unanimous vote, said Wasserman Schultz called her earlier this week to ask whether she would take on the role as one of the DNC’s five vice chairmen. “It was completely unexpected,” Gabbard said. Wasserman Schultz, in a news release, called Gabbard’s rise to Congress an inspiration” and her dedication to public service showcases the best of our party’s values.”