Zody: DNC emails 'completely inappropriate'

PHILADELPHIA – Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody said emails that show instances of Democratic National Committee staff giving preference to Hillary Clinton over primary challenger Bernie Sanders display behavior that was "completely inappropriate."

After the leaked emails became public, DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a congresswoman from Florida, announced Sunday on the eve of the party’s national convention in Philadelphia that she would leave the post at the end of the week.

“I think Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz made the decision she thought was best for the party,” Zody told IndyStar on Monday. “Our job this week is to nominate the next president of the United States, which is Hillary Clinton, and the party infrastructure stuff will work itself out.”

“But certainly unfortunate what happened at the DNC, and we need to make sure we come out of here united.”

The shake-up at the national party comes after nearly 20,000 emails were released by WikiLeaks, and at a time when Democrats are struggling to unite Sanders and Clinton supporters following the primary season. The leaked emails included one where Wasserman Schultz referred to a top Sanders campaign aide as a “damn liar” and another where a party official suggested the Vermont senator’s religious beliefs should be questioned.

Zody said Donna Brazile assuming the role as DNC chair “will be a great transition.” Brazile is the current DNC vice chairwoman.

The convention lasts through Thursday. Sanders, a Vermont senator, will address delegates Monday night, along with First Lady Michelle Obama.

USA Today reporter Heidi M. Przybyla contributed to this story.

Call IndyStar reporter Chelsea Schneider at (317) 444-6077. Follow her on Twitter: @IndyStarChelsea.