DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz will resign after the Democratic convention

Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz will step down following leaked internal emails showing key members of the organization speaking critical of Sen. Bernie Sanders in his primary fight against Hillary Clinton.

In a statement Sunday afternoon, the chair touted her her accomplishments running the DNC during President Barack Obama's reelection, but acknowledged that her resignation may help ease concerns about institutional bias against Sanders.

"As the mother of my three amazing children and the Representative of Florida's 23rd congressional district, I know that electing Hillary Clinton as our next president is critical for America's future. I look forward to serving as a surrogate for her campaign in Florida and across the country to ensure her victory," Schultz said.

She added:

"Going forward, the best way for me to accomplish those goals is to step down as Party Chair at the end of this convention. As Party Chair, this week I will open and close the Convention and I will address our delegates about the stakes involved in this election not only for Democrats, but for all Americans."

"We have planned a great and unified Convention this week and I hope and expect that the DNC team that has worked so hard to get us to this point will have the strong support of all Democrats in making sure this is the best convention we have ever had."

The chair has faced increasing pressure to step down after internal emails showed top staffers considering leaking negative information about Sanders as he publicly criticized the chair for alleged bias against his campaign.

Speaking with CNN's Jake Tapper on Sunday, former Obama senior advisor David Axelrod acknowledged Schultz's accomplishments running the organization, but joined a growing number of Democratic higher-ups calling for the chair's resignation.

"I would ask her to step aside. I would ask her to step aside, because she's a distraction on a week that is Hillary Clinton's week," Axelrod said.

While Schultz's resignation may help quell discontent on the left, it's unclear what the impact will be on the DNC in the long run. If elected, the incoming president typically appoints an ally to head the party organization. Indeed, the Clinton campaign effectively took control of the DNC by appointing former SEIU political director Brandon Davis as the chief of staff of the DNC.

Following Sunday's announcement, Clinton praised Schultz in a statement, and promised to campaign for her reelection in Florida.

"There's simply no one better at taking the fight to the Republicans than Debbie - which is why I am glad that she has agreed to serve as honorary chair of my campaign's 50-state program to gain ground and elect Democrats in every part of the country, and will continue to serve as a surrogate for my campaign nationally, in Florida, and in other key states," Clinton said.