Vice President Kamala Harris is focusing on building a national presidential campaign while also expanding her team at the White House to handle press inquiries since her unexpected presidential bid. Her office has hired Nate Evans, a veteran of her short-lived 2020 campaign, as a senior communications adviser. He is currently on detail from his position as a senior adviser for strategy and communications for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Harris’ communications director, Kirsten Allen, and press secretary, Ernie Apreza, will remain in their roles at the White House. The campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, is also expanding its team led by communications director Michael Tyler and senior communications adviser Brian Fallon, who is responsible for crafting Harris’ daily messaging and managing interview requests.
In the coming seven weeks leading up to Election Day, Harris is expected to focus primarily on campaign-related activities but will still attend to official duties, including events to commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and high-level national security briefings at the White House. With Congress working on a short-term spending agreement and processing final nominations from President Biden, there is a possibility that Harris may be called to Capitol Hill to cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate. The team at campaign headquarters is working to manage press inquiries and negotiate with television networks about debates and interviews. Recent additions to the team include Ian Sams, who previously handled press inquiries for the Biden administration regarding Republican congressional oversight investigations and the special counsel probe into President Biden’s alleged mishandling of classified documents.
As Harris continues to shape her national presidential campaign and tend to her duties at the White House, President Donald Trump has stated that he will not debate Harris for a second time. Trump’s decision comes as Harris’s team is actively working to build out their press and communications team in preparation for the upcoming election. The campaign is focused on crafting Harris’s daily message, managing interview requests, and coordinating with television networks for debates. Despite the ongoing efforts of the campaign team, Trump’s announcement may impact the trajectory of Harris’s campaign and the broader political landscape as the election approaches.
The addition of experienced professionals like Nate Evans and Ian Sams to Harris’s team signifies a commitment to strategic communication and effective management of press inquiries. This expansion of the team indicates Harris’s dedication to running a strong campaign and handling the demands of both her presidential bid and her role as Vice President. The team’s efforts to negotiate debate terms and manage media requests are crucial in shaping the public’s perception of Harris and her policies. Trump’s decision not to debate Harris could present challenges for the campaign, but the team’s experience and expertise will be crucial in navigating these obstacles and achieving success in the upcoming election.
As the election draws nearer and Harris’s campaign gains momentum, the coordination between her team at the White House and the campaign headquarters will be vital in ensuring effective communication and consistent messaging. The team’s ability to handle press inquiries, negotiate with media outlets, and manage debates will play a significant role in shaping Harris’s public image and political platform. With the addition of seasoned professionals to the team and a focus on both campaign-related activities and official duties, Harris is positioning herself for success in the upcoming election. Despite challenges such as Trump’s decision not to debate her, Harris’s team is well-equipped to navigate these obstacles and continue building momentum towards Election Day.
