Obama wants to keep Wasserman Schultz as chairwoman of DNC

President Obama will ask members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to reelect Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) to serve another term as chairwoman.

The election will take place when the DNC meets in Washington on Jan. 22, one day after Obama is sworn in for his second term, according to a DNC official.

The term for DNC chairwoman is usually four years, meaning she will helm the party through the 2014 midterms elections when Democrats will be trying to keep control of the Senate and win back the House.

In this past election cycle, there was tension between the DNC and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee because the DNC wasn't giving money to its Senate and House counterparts. There will likely be more coordination in 2014.

Wasserman Schultz's record as DNC chairwoman has been fairly positive. There have been no major scandals since she succeeded former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) in early 2011, when he stepped down to run for Virginia's Senate seat, and her renomination suggests previous reports of tension between her and Obama campaign officials were overstated.

She is credited by Democrats with helping Obama carry Florida in his reelection bid. Wasserman Schultz, an outspoken and fiery liberal in the House, is also praised for helping bring former President Bill Clinton into an active role in Obama's reelection campaign, according to the Associated Press.

The Florida congresswoman's renomination also keeps a young, female voice in the Democratic leadership as Republicans struggle to make inroads with women and introduce new faces to their leadership team.

And with the House Democratic leadership team on Capitol Hill set, Wasserman Schultz's position as DNC chairwoman gives her a high profile spot in the party.

Wasserman Schultz also supported Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary.

— This story was last updated at 12:39 p.m.

---