“I am delighted that the President has entrusted me with helping to strengthen the stable work already being done in the DNC to ensure that Democrats increase their majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate and increase the number of Democratic governors in US capitals. across the country, “Richmond told CNN.
Biden and the DNC, Richmond said, “work hand in hand to build a strong Democratic Party and pass on our message to the American people and support the Democrats.”
“I look forward to working in partnership with (DNC President) Jamie (Harrison) and the talented and hard-working DNC crew to expand the White House’s message as we move toward the midterm elections,” Richmond said.
Richmond will serve as a senior adviser to DNC – a role similar to that he had in the 2020 campaign, said an adviser to Biden. Richmond is expected to travel around the country to help raise funds for the DNC, while acting as a national surrogate for Biden and the Democratic Party.
A source familiar with his decision said Richmond was expected to join the private sector.
Harrison said in a statement that “there are few people who are better able to help us continue to build on our successes and convey our message as we move toward the midterm elections.”
“We look forward to Cedric joining our already strong team as we continue to work in close partnership with the White House and our sister committees to protect and expand our democratic majority. The Democratic Party is all-in and leaves nothing to chance, “he added.
Democratic MP Jim Clayburn of South Carolina, a majority in the House of Representatives, called Richmond’s new job an “exciting and important move” ahead of the November midterm elections.
The New York Times was the first to announce details of Richmond’s expected departure.
Richmond, a former congressman from the Louisiana Democrats, joined the White House at the beginning of the administration and will become one of the few advisers close to Biden who will leave office.
Richmond is playing golf with the president in Delaware on Sunday and has publicly stated that he will leave his position in the White House only if Biden asks him to. He is one of the president’s top black aides and has often served as a public figure for the administration’s press policy.
And as a former congressman and supporter of the start of the campaign, Richmond has become a critical line to the Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives for Biden.
Prior to joining the administration, he was chairman of the Black Caucasus in Congress and co-chaired Biden’s presidential campaign. He served on the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, was a member of the Coalition of New Democrats, and was an aide to Democrats in the House of Representatives on the whip of the majority.
Change of staff at the White House
The news of Richmond’s expected departure comes amid several personnel changes in the White House and Biden administration. The vice president’s office has dealt with a number of staff changes in recent months, but CNN last reported last week that Kamala Harris’s chief of staff, Tina Flurnoy, will leave this spring.
The White House is also preparing a number of personnel moves, while officials are preparing for a potential Republican takeover of Congress.
One of Biden’s closest advisers, Anita Dunn, is expected to return to the West Wing ahead of the by-elections. Dunn previously worked in the administration on a short-term basis. While details of her return are still being clarified, this time Dunn is expected to return full-time, sources familiar with the matter said.
Ian Sams, who currently serves in the Department of Health and Human Services, is also joining the White House office in communications.
Sams has previously served as a spokesman for Harris’s 2020 presidential campaign, where he has built a reputation for outspoken and sometimes combative style, traits that could be helpful as he faces aggressive inquiries from Republicans.
This story was updated with additional reports on Monday.
CNN’s MJ Lee and Jeff Green contributed to this report.
Add Comment