2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee Releases RFP for Barbeque Sauces to Represent Flavors of the Carolinas

Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee Releases RFP for Barbeque Sauces to Represent Flavors of the Carolinas

CHARLOTTE – This week, Charlotte in 2012 released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking to work with a Barbeque sauce vendor as part of the merchandising effort for the convention. The RFP calls for three different types of BBQ sauces; mustard, vinegar, and tomato, to represent and showcase the different styles from around the Carolinas. The sauces will be sold together in Charlotte in 2012’s online merchandise store to people from across America.

“I love the food from this region – I even smoke my own pork - so I understand very well the importance of selecting three barbeque sauces that truly represent the flavor of the Carolinas,” said Dan Murrey, Executive Director of Charlotte in 2012. “We expect bids from eastern Carolina, western Carolina and South Carolina…Needless to say it will be a challenge to select the best sauces, but I think I speak for my entire team when I say that we are looking forward to the taste test.”

This is part of a grassroots fundraising effort, and proceeds go toward funding the convention. Charlotte in 2012 is the first Host Committee in convention history to raise convention funds without accepting monetary corporate contributions; monetary contributions now come from individuals, foundations and charitable organizations.

Those interested in submitting a proposal to sell barbeque sauce must register their business in the Vendor Directory at www.charlottein2012.com and must be open to working with Charlotte in 2012 on any creative designs having to do with the bottle and labels. Sauces must be made in America, and preference will be given to those made in the Carolinas. Final proposals are due by Monday, February 27th, 2012.

Democratic National Convention Committee Announces Mayor Villaraigosa Convention Chair

Democratic National Convention Committee Announces Mayor Villaraigosa Convention Chair

CHARLOTTE – The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced that Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz will nominate Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa Permanent Chair of the 2012 Democratic National Convention.  DNC Chair Wasserman Schultz’s nomination of Mayor Villaraigosa will be presented to the Convention Rules Committee and then voted on by the delegates to the 2012 Convention at the opening session.
          
“Mayor Villaraigosa has dedicated his career to civic engagement and empowering people at the grassroots,” said DNC Chair Wasserman Schultz.  “And that’s exactly what we need to be successful at this convention—input and engagement from Americans across the country.”
 
The Permanent Chair presides over the convention proceedings, ensuring order, decorum and efficiency as the party nominates its presidential and vice presidential candidates, adopts the national platform and conducts other important business.  The Permanent Chair also acts as another national spokesperson for the convention.
 
“It’s an honor to be nominated as Permanent Chair of the convention,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “The president began his journey five years ago with a conversation—friends reaching out to neighbors and families talking around the dinner table.  At this convention we want to engage Americans in a conversation about how we can strengthen the country in a way that creates more opportunity for all.”
 
The DNCC will also release a web video today with Mayor Villaraigosa calling on people to raise their voice and let convention planners know what they can do to make the 2012 Democratic National Convention more open and accessible.
 
The DNCC announced in late January changes in format and venue that will allow tens of thousands more people to be engaged in the convention.  Convention week will open with a family-friendly Labor Day event at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday, September 3, that will be open to people from across the region and around the country.  Delegates will vote on Mayor Villaraigosa’s nomination at the convention’s opening session and he will preside over convention proceedings at Time Warner Cable Arena, on Tuesday, September 4, and Wednesday, September 5.  And on Thursday September 6, the President will accept the nomination at Bank of America Stadium, where once again, the public will be invited to attend.
 
As a high school student, Villaraigosa volunteered with the farm workers movement and led student walkouts. Before he was elected to public office he worked as a union organizer.  Villariagosa is currently serving in his second term as Mayor of Los Angeles, and also serves as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee Announces 13 Distinct Local Venues to Host Delegate and Media Welcome Events

Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee Announces 13 Distinct Local Venues to Host Delegate and Media Welcome Events

CHARLOTTE, NC - At a press conference today at the Charlotte Museum of History, the Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee announced the venues that have been selected to host welcome events for the 15,000 members of the media and approximately 6,000 delegates coming to Charlotte for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The Media Welcome Event on Saturday, September 1, 2012 will be at the North Carolina Music Factory. The Delegate Welcome Event will be held on September 2, 2012, and divided between 12 unique venues around the region.

For many of the visitors, these events will be their first impression of the city. Hosting events at 13 venues also expands business opportunities to companies across the region.

In the coming weeks, Charlotte in 2012 will be seeking event planners to plan the events at each venue site. The Requests for Proposal (RFP) will be released on Thursday through the Vendor Directory that can be found at www.charlottein2012.com. RFP’s will also be reviewed at a closed press information session this Thursday, February 2nd, 2012.

“This announcement demonstrates how hard we are working to showcase the entire Charlotte region while maximizing the economic impact of the 2012 convention,” said Mayor Anthony Foxx, Co-Chair of the Committee for Charlotte.

“We are very proud to announce thirteen separate venue locations to welcome convention delegates and members of the press,” said Dan Murrey, Executive Director of Charlotte in 2012. “Hosting our guests at these distinct venues truly puts our best foot forward as we welcome these folks to Charlotte, many coming here for the first time.”

The locations of the Delegate and Media Welcome Events are as follows:

On Saturday, September 1, credentialed media will be invited to the Media Welcome Event at the North Carolina Music Factory. This venue was selected both for its capacity and for its wonderful story. Like many Charlotteans do, father and son Rick and Noah Lazes recognized opportunity when they saw it. It was in the form of an aging, unused textile mill that they transformed into the North Carolina Music Factory, a 37-acre entertainment district on the edge of Uptown Charlotte. It offers 14 world class venues, from upscale dining to outdoor courtyards. Members of the media from all over the world will see firsthand how Charlotte takes a modern approach to its rich history.

On Sunday, September 2nd, approximately 6,000 delegates will be hosted at 12 different venues in the region at official Delegate Welcome Events. The venues represent the diversity, culture, landscape and history of the Charlotte region. Selected venues include:

East of Uptown is the Charlotte Museum of History. This museum is an educational organization collecting, sharing and celebrating the history of the Charlotte region. The ten acre site of the museum is also home to Charlotte’s oldest surviving building, the Hezekiah Alexander House. South of Uptown delegates will be hosted at the Duke Mansion. The mansion takes its name from James Buchanan Duke. It would be difficult to tell this region’s story without including the Duke legacy, which includes Duke University, Duke Energy, and the Duke Endowment, a Carolinas based foundation.

West of Charlotte, in Gaston County, is the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Over 380 acres of lush meadows, manicured gardens, and an orchid conservatory were gifted to this region by Charlottean and textile executive Daniel Stowe for all to enjoy.

Huntersville offers a true gem in the region, The Carolina Raptor Center. This facility is dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey and offers a full-service avian hospital and a living museum with over 25 species of raptors.

Delegates will be welcomed at a US Olympic training facility – the U.S. National Whitewater Center. It is located on over 400 acres of woodlands in western Mecklenburg County along the banks of the Catawba River and boasts world class whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, zip-lining and biking.

The people of the Carolinas have always cherished animal life and natural surroundings, and The Raptor Center, the Stowe Botanical garden, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center illustrate that passion beautifully.

Just West of Uptown is the Wadsworth Estate. Built in 1911 in the historic Wesley Heights neighborhood, this estate has seen a variety of transformations, but was recently purchased by former Judge Shirley Fulton. The Wadsworth Estate is situated on one of charlotte’s beautiful tree-lined streets and faces Charlotte’s Uptown and city skyline.

The region holds a proud heritage in stock car racing and the NASCAR Hall of Fame celebrates the sport’s history and honors its icons that have made significant contributions to the sport.

While NASCAR is beloved here in North Carolina, so are the arts and sciences. Delegates will be entertained at the Mint Museum which is home to local, American and European contemporary art as well as one of the finest collections of craft and design. The collection has moved in rece nt years to an architecturally striking home, but The Mint was the first art museum in North Carolina and has provided this region with cultural enrichment for over 75 years.

Charlotte is also home to the largest movie going experience in the Carolinas, the IMAX theater housed in Charlotte’s very own Discovery Place. Delegates will enjoy active exploration of science, nature, and technology including a new aquarium, exotic rainforest, and other interactive exhibits.

Another Charlottean who has bestowed a gift upon this region to further enrich the cultural landscape is Andreas Bechtler. An immigrant from Switzerland, he made his family collection of more than 1400 artworks of mid-20th century art, such as Warhol and Picasso, available for viewing in The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.

Charlotteans will agree that our city would not be where it is today if not for our former Mayor, a man who continues to lead both locally and nationally, including his role as co-chair of Charlotte in 2012’s Steering Committee, Harvey Gantt. The Harvey B. Gantt Center celebrates the rich legacy of African-American art, history and culture through dance, music, visual art, film, educational programs, theatre productions and community outreach.

And last but certainly not least is the nation’s most comprehensive interpretation of the post-Civil War American South at the Levine Museum of the New South. This museum boasts award-winning exhibits and programming to deepen awareness and understanding of the “New South.”

2012 Democratic National Convention Announces Major Changes to Convention Format

2012 Democratic National Convention Announces Major Changes to Convention Format
 
CHARLOTTE – The Democratic National Convention Committee today announced two major changes to the convention format that will allow for the convention to be the most open and accessible in history.
 
Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced in a press conference in Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium that the convention would be shortened by one day, from four to three days.  The Monday of convention week, Labor Day, will be designated as a day to celebrate the Carolinas, Virginia and the South at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
 
Additionally, Wasserman Schultz announced that the final night of the convention will be held in Bank of America Stadium, to allow tens of thousands of additional Americans to attend President Obama’s acceptance speech.
 
“We wanted to find a way to truly make this convention different than any other in history.  We want this convention to be about more than just the pageantry and speeches you see on television.  This is about engaging Americans in a meaningful way,” said DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
 
“With changes in format and venue – shortening the convention to three days, moving the President’s acceptance speech to Bank of America Stadium and designating Monday as a day to celebrate the Carolinas, Virginia and the South – we are underlining the mission of this convention -- to engage Americans,” said DNCC CEO Steve Kerrigan.
 
“This convention is going to be not just a transaction, but a point of transformation. We are going to use this convention to make a lasting positive impact in this community and across the state and region,” said Host Committee Chair Mayor Anthony Foxx.
 
The two changes announced today are not the only way in which Democrats are changing the way conventions are held.  On February 4, just three days after selecting Charlotte to host the convention, Democrats announced that the convention would not accept funds from corporations, political action committees or lobbyists, and that it would not accept individual contributions of more than $100,000.

Democratic National Convention Committee Names EventSphere, Akintayo Management Group & It’s My Affair Housing Services Providers

Democratic National Convention Committee Names Housing Services Provider
Winning team connected using convention vendor directory

CHARLOTTE – The Democratic National Convention Committee and the Committee for Charlotte in 2012 today named the team of EventSphere, Akintayo Management Group and It’s My Affair to serve as the housing services vendor for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.  
 
“This team, along with the resources of the Charlotte hotel community, provides us with the experience and local connections to ensure that convention attendees receive a superior housing experience in Charlotte,” said DNCC Chief Executive Officer Steve Kerrigan.  “With the local resources and valuable relationships of It’s My Affair and the institutional knowledge and expertise that EventSphere and Akintayo Management Group bring from the 2008 Democratic National Convention, this team will be able to effectively manage the thousands of hotel rooms that will be needed for the convention.”
 
The three firms bid as a team.  EventSphere and Akintayo Management Group identified Charlotte-based It’s My Affair for their partnership using the convention vendor directory, a tool that allows organizations and individuals to search for local companies to meet their convention-related needs.  Local business can register for the vendor directory at www.charlottein2012.com.  Future request for proposals will be issued through the vendor directory.
 
The housing services vendor will work closely with the DNCC housing department to manage the DNCC’s hotel room blocks for convention week.  The vendor will be responsible for providing support teams, including call centers, website reservation services and fax machines; building on existing housing inventory, handling contracts and assisting with housing inspections; managing housing inventory, wait-list procedures and post cut-off procedures; providing reservation services and meeting space management systems; and managing deposits and refunds, conducting audits and producing ongoing reports.
 
The DNCC is responsible for housing approximately 6,000 convention delegates, as well as certain elected officials, some media, security, production staff, allied groups, campaign staff, and other special guests.
 
The DNCC evaluated the proposals based on numerous criteria, including experience, reliability, relationships to Charlotte, North Carolina, and the surrounding region, women, minorities and persons with disabilities, and local resources to support the endeavor.
 
This is the fourth contract the DNCC and the Committee for Charlotte in 2012 have awarded.  The first set of contracts for construction manager, event architect and event and exposition services provider were awarded in October.
 
EventSphere
EventSphere’s mission is to be a dynamic housing company that offers its client partners a solution-driven and results-proven housing services platform.  The team is composed of seasoned industry veterans with an average of 20 years of hospitality and housing expertise.  EventSphere works with some of the largest annual conventions and events in the United States.  EventSphere’s team provided housing services for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
 
Akintayo Management Group
Akintayo Management Group is an innovative company that provides notable services in project oversight and business development, with expertise in the hospitality industry. AMG’s President and CEO, Tina E. Akintayo, served as the Director of Housing for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, developing, managing and greening the housing process for several thousand convention attendees. Tina is a LEED accredited professional with 20 years of experience in the hotel industry.
 
It’s My Affair
IT’s My Affair, LLC is an SBA 8(a) certified small disadvantaged, minority and woman-owned business providing full-service conference, meeting and event management services.  IMA’s Charlotte-based team supports a diverse list of clients with site selection, budget development and contract negotiation, full meeting and event planning services, travel and housing support.  Karen Lawrence, Founder and President, has more than 14 years of experience managing meetings and special events.   Karen served as Co-chair of the Educational Dream Team for Meeting Professionals International, Charlotte Chapter. 

Democratic National Convention Committee Statement on Congressional Approval of Security Funds for City of Charlotte

Democratic National Convention Committee Statement on Congressional Approval of Security Funds for City of Charlotte

CHARLOTTE—The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate today each voted to pass the final version of legislation containing a $50 million federal grant to the City of Charlotte for security funds related to the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The legislation also includes a $50 million grant to the city of Tampa for the 2012 Republican National Convention—the same level of funding Denver and Minneapolis received for the political nominating conventions in 2008.  The bill now heads to President Obama’s desk, who is expected to quickly sign it into law.

“We’re pleased that with bipartisan support in both chambers, Congress has approved funding for the City of Charlotte to provide security for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.  We thank Mayors Foxx and Buckhorn, the leadership in both chambers of Congress and the Florida and North Carolina Congressional delegations for their work in securing these funds,” said DNCC Chief Executive Officer Steve Kerrigan.

“These much-needed funds will ensure that not only is this the most open and accessible convention in history, but a safe one, too.  The security of the city’s residents and convention attendees is a top priority, and these funds give Charlotte the resources to get the job done.  This convention is going to be about Americans coming together, and we invite all Charlotteans to come uptown to take part in the festivities.”  

Both conventions have been designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security as National Special Security Events.  This designation allows federal resources to be deployed to maintain the security necessary for the event and the area.  Examples of other NSSEs include conventions, State of the Union addresses, Presidential Inaugurations, Super Bowls and the Academy Awards.

ONE & POLITICO to Co-Host Evening Events At 2012 Presidential Conventions

ONE & POLITICO to Co-Host Evening Events At 2012 Presidential Conventions
 
WASHINGTON, Nov 17, 2011 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- ONE, the global anti-poverty organization co-founded by Bono, and POLITICO, the nation's leading source for political news, announced today that the two organizations will co-host evening events at the Republican National Convention during the week of Aug. 27, 2012 in Tampa, Fla., and at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., the week of Sept. 3, 2012.

The events will be held the Wednesday night of each convention week and feature performances by well-known musicians, bringing together some of the conventions' most high-profile attendees.

"The conventions are great opportunities for people to connect -- or reconnect -- around some of the most important issues confronting our nation and the world," said Sheila Nix, U.S. executive director of ONE. "Our national convention activities are an extension of our nonpartisan ONE VOTE 2012 activities that engage all of the presidential candidates on issues of importance to ONE. Many of the people attending make the decisions that make the news -- and we are delighted to partner with such a dynamic news organization as POLITICO."

Boasting one of the largest teams of political reporters, POLITICO will have a prominent presence at both conventions, offering several events and complete coverage online, in print and via mobile devices.

"We're thrilled to partner with ONE on what will undoubtedly be the most exciting set of events at the conventions," said Roy Schwartz, Vice President of POLITICO. "With the combined power of ONE and POLITICO, these events will be the ideal setting for politicos, artists and convention-goers to come together."

The events are by invitation only.

About ONE:

ONE is an advocacy organization dedicated to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease around the world, particularly in Africa. Backed by more than 2.5 million members, we work with government leaders to support proven, cost-effective solutions to save lives and build sustainable futures.

About POLITICO:

POLITICO is a nonpartisan, Washington-based political journalism organization that serves as the one-stop shop for the fastest, deepest coverage of the president, Congress and the 2012 presidential race. POLITICO's journalists break news and drive conversation about the White House, Capitol Hill and Washington lobbying, plus the intersection of politics with Wall Street, the media and personalities.

Disclaimer: ONE and POLITICO are delighted to partner on great events at the DNC and RNC 2012 conventions. This partnership does not constitute an endorsement of the other or its activities. No proceeds from these events will be used to support any lobbying.

2012 Republican And Democratic National Conventions Certified To Receive Public Funding From The Federal Election Commission

BOTH MAJOR PARTIES RECEIVE PUBLIC FUNDING FOR 2012 CONVENTIONS

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission has certified that the two major political parties’ convention committees are eligible to receive public funding, and both received initial payments of $17,689,800 from the U.S. Treasury for planning and conducting their respective 2012 presidential nominating conventions. 

The Commission is responsible for administering the public funding program for presidential campaigns and nominating conventions under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. These Acts permit all eligible national committees of major and minor parties to receive public funds to help pay the official costs of their presidential nominating conventions.

Each major party convention committee is entitled to receive $4 million, plus an adjustment for inflation (since 1974).* Previous payments for each major party convention were:

2008 - $16,820,760

2004 - $14,924,000

2000 - $13,512,000

1996 - $12,364,000

1992 - $11,048,000

1988 - $9,220,000

1984 - $8,080,000

1980 - $4,416,000

1976 - $2,182,000

The U.S. Treasury makes initial payments on or after July 1 of the year preceding the presidential election. This year, the Republican Party applied for public financing of its 2012 convention on June 1 and received its funding of $17,689,800 on July 1. The Democratic Party applied on September 6 and received the same amount on September 22. The Secretary of the Treasury will certify additional payments, based on final inflation adjustments of approximately $600,000 for each convention, in early 2012.

The Committee on Arrangements for the 2012 Republican National Convention will host its convention in Tampa, Florida, on August 27-30, 2012. The 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee, Inc. will hold its convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 3-6, 2012.

In exchange for public funding of the conventions, committees agree to certain requirements, including spending limits, the filing of periodic disclosure reports to the Federal Election Commission and detailed audits. Since no third party candidate received 5 percent of the vote in 2008, only the Republican and Democratic parties are eligible for 2012 convention grants.

The public funding portion of presidential elections is financed by the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, which receives funds through dollars voluntarily "checked off" by taxpayers on federal income tax forms. For additional information, consult the Commission’s website at http://www.fec.gov/press/bkgnd/fund.shtml.

(*)Originally, the limit was $2 million, plus COLA (cost-of-living adjustment). That figure increased to $3 million, plus COLA, for the 1980 conventions and to $4 million, plus COLA, for the 1984 conventions.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. Established in 1975, the FEC is composed of six Commissioners who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Democratic National Convention Committee Releases Request For Proposal for 2012 DNC Housing Services Vendor

Democratic National Convention Committee Releases Request For Proposal for 2012 DNC Housing Services Vendor

CHARLOTTE – The Democratic National Convention Committee today released a request for proposal for a housing services vendor for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The proposal can be found at the DNCC website, www.demconvention.com.

The housing services vendor will work closely with the DNCC housing department to manage the DNCC’s hotel room blocks for convention week. The vendor will be responsible for providing support teams, including call centers, website reservation services and fax machines; building on existing housing inventory, handling contracts and assisting with housing inspections; managing housing inventory, wait-list procedures and post cut-off procedures; providing reservation services and meeting space management systems; and managing deposits and refunds, conducting audits and producing ongoing reports.

The DNCC is responsible for housing the 5,500 – 6,500 delegates who will attend the convention, as well as certain elected officials, some media, security, production staff, allied groups, campaign staff, and other special guests.

This is the third RFP the DNCC has issued. The first RFP was issued on Sept. 13 for an event architect and construction manager, and the second on Sept. 21 for an exposition services vendor.

The DNCC will evaluate the proposals based on numerous criteria, including, but not limited to: experience, reliability, relationships to Charlotte, North Carolina, and the surrounding region, participation of union labor, women, minorities and persons with disabilities, and local resources to support the endeavor.

The request for proposal is just one step in the DNCC’s outreach to local businesses. On Sept. 1, the DNCC and Committee for Charlotte 2012 announced the publication of an online vendor directory that will allow vendors to search for local businesses for their convention-related needs. The vendor directory can be found at www.charlottein2012.com

DNC, DCCC and DNCC Announce Greg Hinton to Be New Chief Diversity Officer

DNC, DCCC and DNCC Announce Greg Hinton to Be New Chief Diversity Officer
Position Emphasizes Democratic Party’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Washington, DC—The DNC, DCCC and DNCC today announced that Greg Hinton will serve as Chief Diversity Officer of the organizations, effective October 24, 2011. Hinton will serve as the first ever Chief Diversity Officer for the DNC and DCCC and will advise the DNCC (Democratic National Convention Committee) on diversity staffing and minority procurement. This position grew out of the Democratic Party’s ongoing efforts to make sure that the party – from employment to procurement and contracting - reflects the diversity of our country.

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz said, “We’re thrilled to have Greg Hinton join the DNC as the Chief Diversity Officer. The Democratic Party has long been dedicated to including talented people who reflect the diversity of our great country, and Greg will bring his talents to bear as we make sure we are living up to that commitment. I’m proud we’re taking this critical step forward and look forward to working closely with Greg as we strive to take our values of inclusion and strength through diversity to the next level.”

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel said, “Our whole team at the DCCC is excited to have Greg Hinton join us and continue our strong commitment to diversity. This new position is a reflection of the Democratic Party’s continuing and unyielding belief that diversity is a strength and we look forward to Greg’s work to help us honor that tradition.”

Hinton will be leaving his role as chief diversity officer of US Cellular, a major regional wireless carrier based in the Midwest. Hinton is a native of Chicago.

Hinton has worked in the corporate sector for several major companies (US Cellular, Abbott Labs, Pepsi General Bottlers) and has also worked in the health care provider and nonprofit sectors. He has developed and implemented diversity/inclusion programs, from both a supplier diversity standpoint and from a hiring/human resources perspective.

Of his new role, Hinton said, “Diversity in hiring, contracting and procurement has always been of utmost importance to the Democratic Party and I’m proud to serve in this role to help maintain that commitment. Our party is stronger because of our diversity, and in this new role I will be working to make sure we are harnessing our diverse experiences and points of view in the most effective way possible. I am honored to be doing this work on behalf of the President and the Democratic Party and believe this new position is a reflection of the Party’s strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

The hire was made pursuant to a recommendation of the DNC’s Budget and Finance Committee. The DNC embraced the recommendation and, together with the DNCC and the DCCC, has been fully engaged in the process of finding the right person to fill this important position.