U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida is President Barack Obama’s choice to lead the Democratic National Committee.

Vice President Joe Biden informed DNC members of Obama’s selection in an e-mail today after the group’s current chairman, former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, announced he is running for the U.S. Senate. The DNC members must confirm the choice.

Wasserman Schultz, 44, was first elected to her House seat in 2004. Her heavily Democratic district includes much of Fort Lauderdale. She formerly served in the Florida legislature. She made history as the youngest woman elected to state House when she won her seat at the age of 26. She is a breast cancer survivor who went public with her battle with the disease in 2009 to help promote the benefits of early diagnosis, Bloomberg reports.

“In selecting Debbie to lead our party, President Obama noted her tenacity, her strength, her fighting spirit, and her ability to overcome adversity,” Biden said in his e-mail. “President Obama expressed great admiration for her as a leader, and he was honored that she accepted this important challenge on behalf of the Democratic Party.”

Obama made his selection the day after he officially began his 2012 re-election bid by releasing a campaign video on his website and sending an e-mail to supporters.