Vice President Kamala Harris is bolstering her presidential campaign with several high-profile veterans from former President Barack Obama’s campaigns, as she retools her team following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race.
The Harris campaign announced it is retaining key leadership from Biden’s campaign, including Jen O’Malley Dillon, who will continue as campaign chair and report directly to Harris.
However, Harris is also bringing in several new senior staffers and expanding the roles of existing team members to reflect her vision as the Democratic nominee.
David Plouffe, a prominent strategist from Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns, is joining the Harris campaign as a senior adviser.
Plouffe, who will be stepping away from his consulting role with TikTok and his podcast with former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, is expected to bring significant strategic expertise to Harris’s team.
Stephanie Cutter, who served as deputy campaign manager for Obama in 2012, will come on board as a strategic adviser.
Additionally, Mitch Stewart, known for leading Obama’s grassroots efforts, and David Binder, who managed Obama’s public research operation, are joining the campaign or taking on expanded roles.
Jennifer Palmieri, who previously served as communications director in the Obama White House and worked on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, will join as a senior adviser to second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Julie Chavez Rodriguez will remain as campaign manager, with an increased focus on key Sun Belt states such as Arizona and Nevada and Latino voters.
Recent polls indicate that Harris is performing better in these areas than Biden, who had previously performed better against Trump.
The campaign shake-up follows Biden’s announcement that he would not seek reelection and his endorsement of Harris as the next Democratic nominee.
Since the transition, Harris’s campaign has gained momentum, with recent polls showing a competitive race between her and Trump. Harris has acknowledged her status as the underdog in the contest.
The Harris campaign also reported a significant fundraising boost, raising $310 million in July, including over $200 million in the week following her presidential announcement.
The staffing changes and strategic shifts aim to strengthen Harris’s bid for the presidency as she seeks to solidify her position as the Democratic nominee.
