2020 Presidential Campaign Blog

Trump Campaign Statement on Jacksonville Convention

Trump Campaign Statement on Jacksonville Convention

“Leading by example, President Trump has put the health and safety of the American people first with his decision on the Jacksonville convention. The President has built the most innovative political campaign in history and will provide exciting, informative, and enthusiastic programming so Republicans can celebrate the re-nomination of President Trump and Vice President Pence. We look forward to celebrating the historic achievements of the administration and exposing what Joe Biden is – the empty vessel, Trojan Horse candidate used by the extreme left to advance their radical agenda.”
- Bill Stepien, Trump 2020 campaign manager

Biden for President Announces Additional Key Staff Hires in Pennsylvania

Biden for President Announces Additional Key Staff Hires in Pennsylvania

Today, Biden for President announced additional key staff hires in Pennsylvania – including political strategists from across the state who have years of experience on House, Senate, and Presidential races.

Larry Hailsham Jr., Pennsylvania Political Director
Larry Hailsham Jr. a Pittsburgh native joins the campaign after serving as Government Affairs Manager for the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. Previously he served as Special Assistant to Senator Bob Casey and Western Political Coordinator for Senator Casey's successful 2018 senate race.

Michael Feldman, Pennsylvania Communications Director
A Philadelphia native, Michael most recently served as the deputy communications director for Protect Our Care, the organization leading the fight against the Trump administration's efforts to overturn the Affordable Care Act. In 2018, Michael was the DSCC embed and state party spokesperson for Senator Joe Donnelly's re-election campaign in Indiana. Previously, Michael held communications roles on Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign in Pennsylvania, along with several other progressive organizations.

Nandi O’Connor, Pennsylvania Coordinated Digital Director
Nandi most recently served as Digital Director for Organizing Together 2020 PA where she had the opportunity to create and build digital infrastructure across the state in the midst of COVID-19. She also previously served as the Pennsylvania Content Producer for Priorities USA, where she worked to collect and capture stories of real people feeling the effect of Trump’s policies, and partnered with organizations on the ground to make sure those stories reached voters across channels. As a lifelong Philadelphian, Nandi is passionate about leveraging digital tools and platforms to meet Pennsylvania voters where they are.

Amy Dorra, Deputy Coordinated Political Director
A California native and Philadelphia transplant, Amy Dorra most recently served as Political Director for Early States for Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang. In 2018, she helped to flip two Southwest Pennsylvania Congressional Districts blue as Congressman Conor Lamb's Political Director in the Special Election for the previous PA 18 (Allegheny, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties) and the newly drawn PA 17 (Allegheny, Butler and Beaver counties). Previously she served as Campaign Manager for Virginia State Delegate Kaye Kory's re-election and on the Organizing team for Alabama Senator Doug Jones' Special Election in 2017.

Trump Campaign Launches "Goya" TV and Radio Ads

Trump Campaign Launches "Goya" TV and Radio Ads Holding Biden and Democrats Accountable

President Donald J. Trump's re-election campaign announced the launch of a new wave of Spanish-language TV and radio ads today, holding Democrats and Joe Biden accountable for their extremism. The ads highlight the Democrats' shameful smear campaign against Goya Foods, a beloved Hispanic-owned family business. "Goya," narrated by popular Cuban actress Susana Pérez, will air in Florida, as will radio spots "Marita y Yesenia" and "Están al Garete." A third radio ad, "Carmen y Araceli," will air in other regions.

As both English and Spanish-language media have reported, the Democrats' attacks on Goya have backfired. Just like Joe Biden said that Black Americans who support the President "ain't Black," Democrats are trying to shame one of America’s largest Hispanic-owned business because its CEO said the country is “truly blessed … to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder.” President Trump's record includes historically low unemployment rates and millions of jobs created for Hispanic workers. The Democrats' smearing of Goya follows leftist thugs targeting statues of Hispanic icons in recent weeks, including Miguel de Cervantes, Saint Junípero Serra, and Simon Bolivar.

Amid growing leftist intolerance, violence, and calls to cut police funding, Joe Biden's silence is deafening. He continues to hide while prominent supporters of his campaign — including socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and open-borders extremist Julian Castro — viciously go after a Hispanic business that employs thousands of people, offers academic scholarships to our kids, and operates humanitarian missions to help the people of Cuba, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.

From Democrats’ support for socialism, to cutting school choice and police funding, they are just too extreme for Hispanic Americans—and Joe Biden is too weak to stand up for us. Now, with the left's assault on Goya, it's clear that not even your abuela's Sazón would be safe in Joe Biden's America.

The Ads
• "Goya" is narrated by award-winning Cuban actress Susana Pérez, who is admired by generations of Cubans and Cuban-Americans. The ad addresses the smear campaign against the popular Hispanic food brand.

• "Carmen y Araceli" is a 60-second radio ad featuring two Mexican-American women discussing leftist attacks on Hispanic culture, faith, and Joe Biden's immigration record.

• "Marita y Yesenia" is a 60-second radio ad featuring a conversation between two Cuban-American women discussing the Goya boycott and Democrats' embrace of socialism.

• "Están al Garete" is a 60-second radio ad highlighting Goya's contributions to the people of Puerto Rico and denouncing the Democrats' growing extremism.

The ads are accompanied by a call-to-action campaign encouraging Hispanic Americans to text "Goya" to 88022.

Biden for President and North Carolina Coordinated Campaign Announce Key Staff Hires in North Carolina

Biden for President and North Carolina Coordinated Campaign Announce Key Staff Hires in North Carolina

Today, Biden for President and the North Carolina Coordinated Campaign announced key staff hires in North Carolina, joining State Director L.T. McCrimmon, Senior Advisor Scott Falmlen, and State Advisor and Chief of Staff Maggie Thompson. The new hires include North Carolina natives as well as former staff from various Presidential primary campaigns and state and local races.

Katie Hendrickson, North Carolina Political Director
Katie Hendrickson is a political strategist based in Raleigh, NC. She previously served as the NC Political Director for Mike Bloomberg during the 2020 Democratic Primary, Deputy Director of Boards and Commissions in the Office of Governor Roy Cooper and on Secretary Clinton’s National Advance team. Katie is a Raleigh native and graduated from NC State with a degree in Business Administration.

Maya Humes, North Carolina Communications Director
Maya Humes previously served as a consultant for Stockton, California Mayor Michael Tubbs and as his chief of staff when he was National Co-Chair of Mike Bloomberg's presidential campaign. Beforehand, Maya served as California Communications Director for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign and National Press Secretary for NextGen America.

Bajeyah Eaddy, North Carolina Coalitions Director
Bajeyah Eaddy, a South Carolina native and graduate of Barber Scotia College who worked as a regional political director for Biden in this year's South Carolina primary; and traveled to MI in the role of special projects director for their primary, and most recently as special projects director over the great lake states including WI, IA, SD, ND, MI,IN, MO, and MN before assuming the current role.

David Berrios, North Carolina Coordinated Campaign Director
David Berrios most recently served as the national deputy campaign director for Organizing Together 2020. Prior to that, David worked on Cory Booker's presidential primary campaign as the national organizing director. He has done stints at the Democratic National Committee, and served as the GOTV director for the 2018 Ohio coordinated campaign.

Douglas Wilson, North Carolina Senior Advisor to the Coordinated Campaign
Douglas Wilson is the founder and principal of Alexander Wilson Consulting LLC., a political and public affairs company. Wilson has worked in political and community outreach for more than 16 years. In 2014, he served as the late Senator Kay Hagan's State Political Director. Wilson also served as a Regional Field Director for President Barack Obama’s campaign in the SC Democratic Primary, and as the State Director of Constituency Outreach in SC during the 2008 Presidential General Election.

Amanda Clarke, North Carolina Coordinated Organizing Director
Amanda Clarke returns to North Carolina after serving as the Voter Registration Director and Deputy Organizing Director there in 2016. She brings nearly a decade of experience in building and managing innovative organizing programs. Most recently she worked on the Bloomberg campaign in Texas. She previously worked as Regional Director with Run for Something, served as the Organizing Director for Mayor Bill de Blasio's re-election campaign and for Jim Johnson's New Jersey gubernatorial race, and worked on Congressman Ro Khanna's 2014 campaign. She has also worked with Future Now Fund and the National Democratic Training Committee.

Owen Berger, North Carolina Coordinated GOTV Director
Owen Berger most recently worked as North Carolina Organizing Director with Warren for President. Past campaigns include McCready for Congress in NC-09, Bew for Congress in NC-03, and coordinated campaigns in New Hampshire 2018, Virginia 2017, and Pennsylvania 2016. He lives in Durham, N.C.

Alexis Hebert, North Carolina Coordinated Digital Organizing Director
Alexis Hebert is from Chapel Hill, NC. Hebert most recently served as the Digital Director for Organizing Together 2020 NC and before that as Digital Director for Mike Bloomberg 2020 in NC. Previously, she was Co-Executive Director for Emerge Kentucky, part of the Emerge America network, and has worked in political fundraising and at a political media and communications firm.

Hannah Slovut, North Carolina Coordinated Data Director
Hannah Slovut previously served as the Data Director at Organizing Together, National Data Manager on Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s presidential campaign. Beforehand, she was a deputy field director on Angie Craig's congressional campaign in MN-02 and the campaign manager for Phillipe Cunningham's Minneapolis city council campaign.

Biden for President Announces Key Staff Hires in Florida

Biden for President Announces Key Staff Hires in Florida

Today, Biden for President announced key staff hires in Florida – including Florida natives and former staff from Organizing Together 2020, the Obama-Biden and Gillum campaigns, and various state and amendment races.

“This slate of Florida leaders is truly reflective of the diversity and size of our state,” said Biden for President Florida State Director Jackie Lee. “With this group, we continue to build a team that knows the state and is uniquely qualified to engage and mobilize the diverse communities and constituencies across Florida. Together, this team will help make Donald Trump a one-term president.”

Gabriela Castillo, Florida Coordinated Deputy State Director
Gabriela Castillo brings vast experience in politics and communications to her role. Most recently, Gabriela served as Communications Director for Organizing Together 2020 Florida. She specializes in strategic communications, government and media relations, issue advocacy, and digital strategy in both English and Spanish. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Gabriela also served as the Communications Director for City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. Gabriela will begin working on the campaign the week of July 27.

Stacy Eichner, Florida Coordinated Deputy State Director
Stacy Eichner joined Biden for President in June 2019, serving as the National Political Chief of Staff and Florida Primary State Director. Previously, Stacy served as Deputy Political Director for United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Florida Surrogates Director for Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, the Democratic National Committee, and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Stacy is a Florida native.

Shahra Anderson Lambert, Florida Political Director
Shahra Anderson Lambert joins the Biden team from her role as Federal Affairs Director for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried. Shahra was Statewide Political Director for the 2018 campaign to re-elect Bill Nelson for Senate, African-American Director for the 2012 campaign to re-elect Bill Nelson for Senate, and Regional Director for the 2006 campaign to re-elect Bill Nelson for Senate. Her 20-year career includes working for two iconic Florida U.S. Senators, Bob Graham and Bill Nelson.

Cedric McMinn, Florida Coordinated Deputy Political Director
Cedric McMinn is a leading Democratic political strategist with extensive state and local legislative experience. Having held various high-profile campaign leadership roles, McMinn served as the African-American Outreach and Deputy Political Director for the successful 2008 Obama Biden Presidential Campaign. Subsequently, Cedric was the Executive Director for the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, the largest county in Florida. He also served as the First Vice-Chair for the Miami-Dade Democratic Party and was the Florida Democratic Party Affirmative Action Chair and member of the Judicial and Campaign Committees. Leading various statewide campaigns, Cedric has directed constituency outreach and regional political management for several gubernatorial, congressional, state, and municipal campaigns in Florida. Cedric McMinn is currently the Senior Political Strategist with Progress for Florida, LLC.

Faith Lowe, Florida Coordinated Chief of Staff
Faith L. Lowe, Esq. comes to the team with a background in operations, campaign budgets, and ethics. In 2018, she leveraged her experience and was selected to manage operations for Amendment Four, the Voter Restoration initiative that passed overwhelmingly in Florida. Lowe holds a Juris Doctor from the Florida A&M University College of Law (FAMU), and a bachelor’s degree in political science from FAMU. She is a native of Orlando, Florida.

Carlie Waibel, Florida Communications Director
Carlie Waibel returns to Florida after serving as Senator Amy Klobuchar’s National Press Secretary and Communications Director. Previously, she has worked several campaign cycles in Florida, most recently serving as senior spokesperson for Mayor Andrew Gillum’s gubernatorial campaign. Waibel also served as communications director for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, as well as communications advisor to Secretary Clinton’s campaign in Florida and deputy communications director in 2014 for Charlie Crist’s gubernatorial campaign. Carlie will begin working on the campaign the week of July 27.

Luisana Pérez Fernández, Florida Coordinated Deputy Communications Director
Luisana was most recently Deputy Communications Director and Hispanic Media Director for the Florida Democratic Party, where she successfully helped Democrats draft and create messaging related to Latin America and issues impacting Latino communities in the state of Florida. Her professional background includes District Director for State Senator José Javier Rodríguez in Miami and Statewide Hispanic Press Secretary for the Bill Nelson for U.S. Senate Campaign. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Luisana is a political communication and outreach strategist, with a unique perspective as a Latina immigrant.

Kevin Munoz, Florida Press Secretary
Kevin Munoz joined Biden for President in September 2019 as Nevada Press Secretary, previously working in political advertising at SS+K in New York City. Munoz served as the Florida Press Secretary during the state’s successful primary win and has since stayed on overseeing the state’s communications portfolio. Munoz is a Jacksonville native and proud Mexican-American.

President Trump Raises Over $20 Million Through Nationwide Virtual Fundraiser

President Trump Raises Over $20 Million through Historic Nationwide Virtual Fundraiser

Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. announced over $20 million raised through the first ever virtual fundraiser hosted by President Donald J. Trump and Trump Victory Finance Committee National Chair Kimberly Guilfoyle. The excitement for President Trump’s re-election is profound, with over 300,000 donations contributing to this cutting-edge event. In addition to virtually meeting with this group of donors, President Trump held a Zoom call with our contest winner, a supporter from Texas who teaches at a school for students with learning differences.

“Trump Victory’s groundbreaking fundraising record proves the American people are passionate about gaining four more years under President Trump’s strong leadership. Across the nation, the SILENT MAJORITY are coming together to donate their valuable time and hard-earned money to help make this President’s re-election a reality,” said Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump Victory Finance Committee National Chair. "The most important measure of success in this race is enthusiasm, and the enthusiasm from President Trump’s supporters cannot be matched.”

Senator Tina Smith and Minnesota State Senator Melisa Franzen to Host “Build Back Better” Roundtable on Thursday, July 23, 2020

Senator Tina Smith and Minnesota State Senator Melisa Franzen to Host “Build Back Better” Roundtable

On Thursday, July 23, Senator Tina Smith and Minnesota State Senator Melisa Franzen will host a virtual Biden for President roundtable in Minnesota on the third plank of Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” economic recovery plan for working families. The conversation will center on how his plan will build a robust 21st century caregiving and education workforce. Smith and Franzen will be joined by an SEIU Healthcare Minnesota representative and Minnesotans who have benefited from home health care.

THURSDAY, JULY 23

Biden for President “Build Back Better” Roundtable with Tina Smith and Melisa Franzen
Start Time: 9:15 AM CT

Event Attendance: Members of the public who wish to attend can RSVP HERE. https://www.mobilize.us/joebiden/event/290813/

Biden for President Ramps Up General Election Paid Media Efforts

Biden for President Ramps Up General Election Paid Media Efforts

Campaign Kickstarts Accelerated Spending with Initial $15 Million, Week-Long Investment

New English- and Spanish- Language Ads Highlight Biden’s Trusted and Tested Experience
Today, Biden for President announced it will ramp up its general election paid media efforts across TV, radio, digital, and print between now and November, spending more than $15 million on paid media in the next week alone. The new buy represents a major increase in paid media spending with additional significant investments in the coming weeks, exceeding the $15 million spent in the past five weeks as part of the campaign’s inaugural advertising flight.

Ads will continue running in battleground states that Donald Trump won in 2016, including Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and the campaign is expanding its media market footprint in states. The campaign is also broadening its national cable buys on news and sports channels, including a presence on MLB's opening games later this week.

With this new buy, Biden for President is also unveiling new ads that emphasize Joe Biden’s trusted and tested experience during times of crisis. These ads make the positive case for Joe Biden’s leadership and vision for his presidency, and are in sharp contrast to the message of fear and division Donald Trump’s campaign is sending through their similar paid media.

“Truth” uses Biden’s voice to encourage Americans to fulfill their patriotic duty to protect others from COVID19 with face masks, hand washing, and social distance, and “Tested” touts Biden’s record overseeing the Recovery Act and helping coordinate the response to control Ebola while also outlining his vision to rebuild the middle class, provide quality education, and expand affordable health care.

The campaign’s investment in reaching Latino voters through sustained investments continues with a new Spanish-language ad, “Soñar es lograr,” running in Arizona and Florida that shows how Joe Biden’s track record has proved that he can help Americans, including immigrant families, achieve the American dream and get big things done. The Spanish-language ads use narrators native to specific markets.

Watch "Truth" HERE

.

Watch "Tested" HERE.

Watch “Soñar es Lograr” HERE.

Senator Amy Klobuchar to Hold Iowa “Build Back Better” Roundtable on Friday, July 24, 2020 *Updated

Senator Amy Klobuchar to Hold Iowa “Build Back Better” Roundtable on Friday, July 24, 2020 *Updated

On Friday, July 24, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, Iowa State Senator Pam Jochum, Iowa State Representative Ruth Ann Gaines, candidate for IA-67 Eric Gjerde, and Executive Director of Iowa Caregivers Di Findley will hold a Biden For President Iowa virtual roundtable on the third plank of Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” economic recovery plan for working families. The conversation will center on how his plan will build a robust 21st century caregiving and education workforce.

FRIDAY, JULY 24

“Build Back Better” Iowa Virtual Roundtable with Amy Klobuchar, Pam Jochum, Ruth Ann Gaines, and Iowa Leaders (UPDATED)

Start Time: 10:00 AM CT

Event Attendance: Members of the public who wish to participate should RSVP HERE. https://www.mobilize.us/joebiden/event/290668/

Biden for President and the Wisconsin Coordinated Campaign Announce Additional Staff in the Badger State

Biden for President and the Wisconsin Coordinated Campaign Announce Additional Staff in the Badger State

Today, Biden for President and the Wisconsin Coordinated Campaign announced additional key staff hires in Wisconsin. The new staff have deep experience in the Badger State, and include alumni from Senator Tammy Baldwin and Governor Tony Evers’ successful 2018 campaigns. They join State Director Danielle Melfi, Senior Advisors Scott Spector and Shirley Ellis, Deputy State Director Garren Randolph, and Communications Director Nate Evans.

Tanya Bjork, Strategic Advisor
Tanya is a veteran of the last three presidential campaigns in Wisconsin having served in senior leadership in both Obama campaigns and as a Senior Advisor to the Clinton campaign. Her previous experience also includes Regional Director for EMILY's List, the AFL-CIO, Protect Our Care and Director of Federal Affairs for Governor Jim Doyle.

John Laadt, Wisconsin Deputy State Director
John joins the team after serving in a number of roles on the Biden Campaign. He served as Massachusetts State Director, led primary efforts in Wisconsin, and has focused on the state since. Prior to this campaign cycle, he served as Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s campaign manager in 2017.

Chris Walloch, Wisconsin Coordinated Campaign Director
A Wisconsin native, Chris successfully led coordinated campaign efforts in Wisconsin during the 2018 campaign cycle to re-elect Senator Tammy Baldwin, elect Governor Tony Evers and Lieutenant governor Mandela Barnes, Attorney General Josh Kaul, and Democrats up and down the ballot.

Devin Remiker, Wisconsin Deputy Coordinated Campaign Director
Devin joins the team after leading the DPW’s efforts for the April Supreme Court election, including engineering DPW’s vaunted absentee program. Devin formerly served as Congressman Ron Kind’s campaign manager in La Crosse, DPW’s Political Director, and DPW’s Executive Director for Political Affairs. Devin has deep Wisconsin roots, having been born and raised in Two Rivers, WI before going to University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.

Nadiyah Groves, Milwaukee Director
A native of Milwaukee, Nadiyah previously served as the Director of Grassroots Activation for the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee and on the Public Engagement team for the 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee. In 2018, she worked as Deputy Milwaukee Director for Senator Baldwin’s successful reelection campaign.

Elsie Raymer, Wisconsin Political Director
A native Wisconsinite, Elsie previously served as Director of Scheduling and Advance for Governor Evers and for Senator Baldwin's successful 2018 campaign. She joins the campaign after working in Wisconsin for the National Education Association (NEA) earlier this cycle.

Matt Dannenberg, Wisconsin Coalitions Director
Matt has spent the last 10 years building coalitions on key environmental and democracy policies. In 2018, he served as Political Director at WI Conservation Voters, and most recently led coalitions to promote the 2020 Census & voter registration statewide. He is a proud member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Watertown Gosling, and a former Badger cheerleader.