Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign faces internal tensions as it navigates an unprecedented overhaul just three months before the election. According to multiple sources familiar with the campaign’s dynamics, the July 2024 integration of new senior strategists, many from former President Joe Biden’s circle, has led to friction within the team.
The tension arises from the arrival of senior advisers like David Plouffe, Barack Obama’s former campaign manager, and veteran strategist Stephanie Cutter. While these additions are intended to bolster the campaign, their integration has caused unease among Harris loyalists who have been part of her core team for years. The presence of Biden-era aides, some of whom have been known to criticize Harris privately, has only heightened this unease.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s former White House official and campaign chair, played a vital role in the recent reshuffling. She assured Harris that these new power players, particularly Plouffe, would not undermine her decision-making authority. Despite these reassurances, the integration has led to what some describe as “staff-level factions,” though others view it as part of the growing pains of a rapidly evolving campaign.
O’Malley Dillon acknowledged that with 2,000 people involved and a change in leadership at the top of the ticket, it naturally takes some time to ensure everyone is aligned correctly. However, she emphasized that the campaign’s achievements in such a short period demonstrate solid support for the vice president and effective collaboration.
One significant development has been the reassignment of Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the Campaign Manager and a 2020 Harris alum, to focus on the Sun Belt states and Latino voters. Some within the campaign viewed this move as a demotion, perceiving it as a strategy to dilute her influence. However, a senior Harris official clarified that these new responsibilities are in addition to her existing role, emphasizing the strategic importance of her reassignment.
Another point of contention stems from the digital strategy team led by Rob Flaherty, the Deputy Campaign Manager. An early draft of a campaign launch video had to be revised due to concerns that it might pigeonhole Harris rather than showcase her broad appeal. The final video, which included the song “Freedom” by Beyoncé, was ultimately well-received, but the incident highlighted the challenges of quickly aligning a diverse team.
Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, rejected the idea of any internal discord. He clarified that claims suggesting the work had to be outsourced due to quality issues are entirely baseless. He emphasized that the same creative team responsible for the initial version also handled the final video.
The unease within Harris’ team is not new. Her 2020 presidential primary campaign faced similar issues, with staff departures and internal conflicts contributing to its struggles. As she prepares to take on former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election, unifying her team under a single vision remains critical.
Sheila Nix, Harris’ Senior Adviser and Chief of Staff, released a statement highlighting the progress of Harris’ campaign in comparison to Trump’s. She pointed out that in just a few weeks, the team successfully transitioned to a new candidate, brought on a running mate, and secured hundreds of millions of dollars in contributions, driven by an unprecedented surge of support from millions of voters. Nix also noted that the campaign has been actively traveling across the country to engage with voters while contrasting this with Trump’s increasingly erratic behavior from Mar-a-Lago.
Despite these efforts, some within the campaign worry that unresolved tension could harm Harris’ chances in the election. A longtime aide to Harris conveyed concerns that internal conflicts could negatively affect the vice president, possibly diminishing the campaign’s effectiveness during the critical period leading up to Election Day.
As the campaign moves forward, whether Harris can successfully navigate these internal dynamics and maintain a cohesive team remains to be seen. The outcome will determine the future of Harris’ political career and could significantly impact the country’s direction.
