Vice President Kamala Harris is restructuring her campaign with key figures from President Obama's previous campaigns following President Joe Biden's decision to step down from the race.
Harris, now the presumptive Democratic Party nominee, is retaining many members of Biden's campaign leadership while also incorporating several top former Obama campaign operatives, as The Hill reports.
The Harris campaign is set to keep Jen O’Malley Dillon as the campaign chair, maintaining continuity from Biden’s team. Significant new additions include David Plouffe, a key strategist for Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns, who will join as a senior adviser.
Plouffe will conclude his consulting work with TikTok and end his podcast collaboration with Kellyanne Conway to focus on the Harris campaign. Stephanie Cutter, who served as Obama’s deputy campaign manager in 2012, will also come on board as a strategic adviser.
Other notable Obama campaign veterans joining Harris include Mitch Stewart, who led grassroots efforts, and David Binder, who managed public research. This experienced team aims to strengthen Harris's campaign infrastructure and outreach efforts.
Jennifer Palmieri, who served as communications director in the Obama White House and on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, will join as a senior adviser to the second gentleman, Doug Emhoff. Julie Chavez Rodriguez will continue as campaign manager, focusing on crucial states like Arizona and Nevada, as well as targeting Latino voters.
Harris has gained considerable momentum since President Biden announced his decision not to seek reelection. This boost is reflected in recent polling data, which shows a closer race between Harris and former President Donald Trump than when Biden was the candidate. “Polling has shown Harris is more competitive in those states than Biden was against Trump,” said the campaign, emphasizing her increased viability in key battlegrounds.
The Harris campaign raised an impressive $310 million in July, with over $200 million of that coming in just the week following her announcement as the Democratic nominee. This financial surge indicates strong grassroots support and confidence among donors.
The strategic additions and changes within the Harris campaign reflect a deliberate shift towards experienced campaign management and a robust grassroots strategy. The integration of former Obama staffers aims to harness their expertise in voter mobilization and public engagement.
The Washington Post first reported the additional staffing changes, highlighting the campaign’s dynamic approach in response to the evolving political landscape. Politico also noted Plouffe’s involvement, underscoring the significance of his advisory role. Harris has publicly acknowledged the competitive nature of the race, consistently portraying herself as the underdog. “Polling has shown a tightening race between Harris and Trump,” a statement from her campaign read, underscoring the challenge ahead.
Harris’s campaign strategy will focus heavily on voter outreach and engagement in critical states. Julie Chavez Rodriguez’s continued role as campaign manager ensures a targeted approach to these regions, particularly among Latino communities.
As the race intensifies, the Harris campaign is poised to leverage the experience and strategic insight of its newly expanded team. This combination of established leadership and new strategic advisors is expected to enhance her competitiveness against Trump. The recent surge in campaign donations further bolsters Harris’s position, providing the necessary resources for extensive campaign operations and outreach efforts.
In summary, Vice President Kamala Harris is reinforcing her campaign with seasoned Obama-era staff following President Joe Biden’s decision to step down. Key figures from Obama’s campaigns, including David Plouffe and Stephanie Cutter, are joining her team.
