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DNC Chair Doesn't Open Convention After Being Jeered At Breakfast

This story has been updated.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Photo Credit: Democratic National Committee

Former Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz did not gavel in the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia after being booed at a breakfast of Florida delegates earlier in the day Monday.

Wasserman Schultz initially announced Sunday she would resign as chair at the conclusion at the convention but still gavel in the convention and give a speech. Her resignation followed a release of embarrassing e-mails by the website WikiLeaks that appeared to show the DNC favoring presumptive nominee Sec. Hillary Clinton, a Chappaqua resident, in the Democratic presidential primary against Sen. Bernie Sanders. (I-VT)

Donna Brazile, a CNN commentator who served as Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore's campaign manager in 2000, will serve as interim chair through the end of the November election, while Martha Fudge, a congresswoman from Ohio, will gavel in the convention. 

Sanders supporters have been making their voices heard in Philadelphia. Wasserman Schultz was booed and heckled by Sanders supporters at the breakfast. Sanders was booed when he encouraged them to support Clinton and Tim Kaine, her vice presidential pick, at a speech to his delegates.

The Vermont senator will be giving a primetime speech at the convention Monday night. Sanders later sent out an e-mail to his supporters asking them to not engage in any kind of protest on the floor of the convention.

The DNC emails released by WikiLeaks included one in which Wasserman Schultz described Bernie Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver as a "damn liar," and another in which DNC members claimed Sanders was was an atheist. 

Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook said "experts" believe the DNC emails were obtained by Russian hackers and handed over to WikiLeaks to benefit the campaign of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The Trump campaign called that accusation a "joke."

Clinton, involved in an email controversy of her own, will give her acceptance speech Thursday night. The Chappaqua resident will become the first woman to be nominated for president by one of the major parties.

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D-Cold Spring) and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Harrison) did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Wasserman Schultz's resignation.

For a rundown of speakers and more info on the Democratic Convention, click here.

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