When you think of Florida politics, you probably think of firebrands, high-stakes elections, and the curly-haired powerhouse that is Debbie Wasserman Schultz. She’s been in the game forever. But behind the scenes of a career that has spanned the Florida State House, the Senate, and a high-profile stint as the DNC Chair, there’s a guy named Steve. Steve Schultz, her husband of over 30 years, is often the quiet constant in a life lived almost entirely in the blast zone of public scrutiny.
Most people only see the headlines. They see the political battles or the controversies. What they don't see is the person who’s been holding down the fort in Weston while Debbie is flying back and forth to D.C. Honestly, the story of Debbie Wasserman Schultz's husband isn't just about being a "political spouse." It's about how a marriage survives the meat grinder of American politics for three decades.
The Man Behind the "St. Steve" Nickname
If you ask Debbie about her husband, she’s likely to give him a title that isn't exactly official. She calls him "St. Steve." In interviews, she’s joked that he’ll be the "first Jewish saint." Why? Because being married to a high-ranking member of Congress isn't a walk in the park. It’s a lot of missed dinners, long-distance parenting, and dealing with the fact that your spouse is a national lightning rod.
Steve Schultz is a banker by trade. He’s not a career politician, and he doesn't seem to have much interest in being the center of attention. While Debbie was making history as the youngest woman ever elected to the Florida Legislature at 26, Steve was building a career in the financial sector. They met early on—marrying in 1991—and have raised three children together: twins Jake and Rebecca, and their younger daughter Shelby.
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A Career in the Shadows of Power
It’s actually kinda rare to see a political marriage last this long without the spouse trying to jump into the fray. Steve has stayed in his lane. He worked as a commercial banker in South Florida, which is a world away from the halls of the Rayburn House Office Building.
- Profession: Banker/Financial Specialist
- Marriage Year: 1991
- Children: Three (Jake, Rebecca, Shelby)
- Home Base: Weston, Florida
Staying in Florida while your wife works in D.C. creates a specific kind of family dynamic. For the Schultzes, this meant Steve was often the primary "on-the-ground" parent during the week. You’ve got to respect the hustle of a guy who manages a banking career while his wife is literally debating the federal budget or running a national political party.
Facing the Toughest Battles Together
The real test of Steve Schultz's role in Debbie's life came in 2008. This is a part of their story that doesn't get enough play. At just 41 years old, Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer. She didn't tell the public right away. Over the course of a year, she underwent seven surgeries. Seven. All while she was still voting in Congress and doing her job.
Steve wasn't just the "husband" then; he was the caregiver. Dealing with a double mastectomy and the fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis is heavy stuff. Debbie eventually went public with her battle in 2009 to help pass the EARLY Act, but it was Steve who was there for the quiet, scary moments before the cameras were rolling.
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The Reality of Being a Political Spouse
Let’s be real for a second. Being the husband of a politician like Debbie Wasserman Schultz means your private life is never fully private. When the 2016 DNC email leak happened, or when she’s faced primary challenges from the left, it’s not just her name in the papers—it’s the family name.
There have been occasional headlines about their finances, as is common with members of Congress. Because Debbie has to file financial disclosures, Steve’s career as a banker has sometimes been poked at by researchers looking for "gotchas." But for the most part, he’s managed to remain a private figure in an increasingly public world. They live in a modest home in Weston (relative to some of her peers), and they’ve kept their kids mostly out of the tabloid cycle.
Why Their Longevity is Surprising
In D.C., marriages often have the shelf life of a carton of milk. The "power couple" trope usually ends in a messy divorce or a scandal. The fact that Steve and Debbie are still together after 34 years is, frankly, one of the most successful things about her career. It suggests a level of stability that doesn't always make it into the political bios.
What You Can Learn from the Schultz Dynamic
If you're looking at the life of Steve Schultz, there are a few takeaways about support and partnership:
- Define Your Own Identity: Steve didn't become "Mr. Wasserman Schultz." He kept his career in banking and stayed rooted in their home community.
- Support Doesn't Mean Silence: Being the "quiet" spouse doesn't mean you aren't an equal partner. Debbie’s "St. Steve" comments show that his emotional support is the bedrock of her public-facing stamina.
- Privacy is a Choice: Even in the age of social media, you can choose how much of your family life you put on display. The Schultzes have been remarkably disciplined about this.
At the end of the day, Steve Schultz represents a vanishing breed: the political spouse who is content to let the other person shine while they do the heavy lifting at home. Whether you agree with Debbie's politics or not, the endurance of their marriage through cancer, national scandals, and three decades of distance is a human story worth noting.
For those tracking the personal lives of Florida’s political elite, the best move is to keep an eye on the official financial disclosures and local Florida news outlets. These sources often provide the most grounded view of how the family’s private interests intersect with their public service. Monitoring the "Congressional Personal Financial Disclosure" portal can give you a transparent look at the couple's assets and career shifts over time.