Gabbard calls on DNC chairman to step down after Iowa ‘debacle’

Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) called on Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez to step down following the chaotic Iowa caucus. 

Gabbard said in an email sent to supporters Sunday that the “trust” voters deserve under Perez’s leadership “has been broken.”

“That’s why today I’m asking that you join me in demanding that Tom Perez accept responsibility for this gross failure in leadership and resign now,” Gabbard wrote, linking to a petition calling for the party chair’s resignation. 

“Under the leadership of Tom Perez, the DNC has kowtowed to billionaires, caused a debacle in Iowa, and undermined the voter’s trust in our elections,” she added. 

Gabbard’s campaign prioritized its efforts in New Hampshire, opting to skip placing a focus in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses. She still faces an uphill battle in New Hampshire, registering at 2.7 percent support in New Hampshire polls, according to a RealPoliticsAverage. 

The Iowa Democratic Party blamed its delay in results on an app the party was using. 

Perez said Sunday on CNN he is “absolutely not” considering resigning after the chaos. His response came after Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) called for him to step down.  

A spokesperson for the DNC was not immediately available for comment Sunday in response to Gabbard’s call for Perez to step down.