1 year ago
President Joe Biden is building up his 2024 campaign with a handful of new senior aides focused on communications, policy and his surrogate operation.
The staffing moves, which the Biden campaign and Democratic National Committee officials shared exclusively with POLITICO, are the latest sign that the reelection effort is gradually ramping up. Last month, Biden’s team officially opened its headquarters in Wilmington, Del., and launched a $25 million ad campaign.
The hires also demonstrate the extent to which the Biden campaign is working closely with the DNC.
Ammar Moussa, the DNC’s national press secretary and rapid response director, will be brought on to serve as the director of rapid response for Biden’s reelection bid. María Carolina Casado, who goes by Maca and is the DNC’s director of Hispanic media, is likewise taking on a role with that title for Biden’s campaign.
Grace Landrieu, who was previously director for economic policy and labor at the National Economic Council, will work as the Biden campaign’s policy director. Carla Frank, who was recently special assistant to the president and deputy political director at the White House, will be the director of the national advisory board and surrogate operations for the 2024 campaign.
“We are excited to continue building the talented and dedicated team who will help reelect President Biden and Vice President Harris,” said Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden’s campaign manager. “Each of these impressive leaders bring a diverse and unique set of experiences that will help our campaign communicate and reach the voters we need to win next November.”
The DNC, meanwhile, is bringing on two aides to replace those departing for the Biden campaign. Marco Frieri, an economist and news commentator, will be the DNC’s new Hispanic media director. Sarafina Chitika, deputy communications director for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), will be the DNC’s national press secretary.
Biden has run what his advisers have said is a purposefully lean campaign at this early stage of the 2024 presidential election. He has been able to do that, in large part, by leaning heavily on a robust DNC.
English (US)