Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign has assembled a formidable team of experienced Democratic operatives, including former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe and Biden campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon. The team will aim to guide Harris to victory in the upcoming presidential election.
Vice President Kamala Harris has assembled a formidable team of experienced Democratic operatives to lead her presidential campaign, signaling a strong bid for the White House in 2024. The team includes former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe and Biden campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon, who will serve as senior advisors.
Harris secured the Democratic presidential nomination on Friday, weeks before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which is set to begin on August 19. The vice president's campaign is now in full swing and will include members of President Biden's now-suspended re-election effort, as well as several experienced Democratic operatives who will assist Harris in her efforts to defeat former President Trump in November.
Kamala Harris's Presidential Campaign Gears Up with Experienced Democratic Operatives
O'Malley Dillon, who led Biden's campaign, will retain her top role, reporting directly to Harris. She is expected to run the campaign from the original Biden campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.
Julie Chávez Rodriguez will remain campaign manager, while Rob Flaherty will continue his role as deputy campaign manager. Quentin Fulks will maintain his position as principal deputy campaign manager, and Michael Tyler will continue as communications director.
Kamala Harris's Presidential Campaign Gears Up with Experienced Democratic Operatives
Harris's campaign has also brought on Liz Allen, who will serve as chief of staff for Harris's yet-to-be-named running mate, and Megan Rooney as head speechwriter.
Brian Fallon, who previously served as director of public affairs for Obama's Justice Department, a top aide to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Hillary Clinton's 2016 national press secretary, will join the Harris campaign as a senior advisor for communications.
Kamala Harris's Presidential Campaign Gears Up with Experienced Democratic Operatives
Plouffe, Obama's former campaign manager, will serve as senior advisor on the "Path to 270" and strategy moving forward. He will suspend his consulting work for TikTok while advising the campaign, as well as his podcast.
Jen Palmieri, who ran communications for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and served as Obama's White House communications director, will also join the Harris campaign as an advisor for second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Kamala Harris's Presidential Campaign Gears Up with Experienced Democratic Operatives
Other senior level consultants joining the team include Mitch Stewart, who will serve as a senior advisor for battleground states, and Terrance Woodbury, who will oversee polling. The top consultants are not expected to work out of Wilmington.
David Binder is also expected to take a leading role in polling and research, along with the existing team. The Harris campaign has also added a new paid media strategy and will continue its work with Blue Sky, Conexion, Truxton, and expects to work with GMMB. Fulks is expected to oversee that program.
Kamala Harris's Presidential Campaign Gears Up with Experienced Democratic Operatives
Meanwhile, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge came onboard as a campaign co-chair and will expand her role to include outreach and strategy, while co-chair Rep. Cedric Richmond will continue his work as a longtime advisor to Harris.
Sources close to the campaign said the team is in place to "scale and manage what is coming" in terms of the intensity and volume of work that comes with a general election season. The moves also reflect an "all-hands-on-deck" approach to the final stretch before the November election. They emphasized that the Democratic Party is "united."
Kamala Harris's Presidential Campaign Gears Up with Experienced Democratic Operatives
The built-out team follows Harris's securing the nomination on Friday. DNC chair Jaime Harrison stated, "I am so proud to confirm that Vice President Harris has earned more than a majority of votes from all convention delegates and will be the nominee of the Democratic Party."
Harris expressed her honor at being the presumptive Democratic nominee and emphasized the tireless work of delegates, state leaders, and staff in making this moment possible.
The news came amid a virtual roll call for the nomination, which the DNC kicked off on Thursday and will last through Monday. While Harris's nomination was never in doubt, she was the only candidate to qualify for the presidential nomination roll call. This historic milestone marks the first time a woman of color has led a major political party's national ticket.
