Biden for President Announces Additional Key Staff Hires in Florida
Today, Biden for President announced additional key staff hires in Florida, growing its team with critical hires to reach Florida’s diverse voting blocs. These hires include Florida natives and former staff of the Obama-Biden and Gillum campaigns, and various state and amendment races.
Scott Arceneaux, Strategic Advisor
A native of Louisiana, Arceneaux served as Executive Director of the Florida Democratic Party for eight years from 2009 to 2017 where he managed party operations during two Gubernatorial cycles, 2010 and 2014, as well as for President Obama’s reelection in 2012 and Secretary’s Clinton’s race in 2016. After leaving the state party, during the 2018 cycle, Arceneaux served as Andrew Gillum for Governor’s Chief Strategist through the August Primary and November General Election. In 2019, Arceneaux rejoined Gov. John Bel Edwards’ campaign for his re-election where he helmed its turnout efforts and consulted on messaging and strategy. Gov. Edwards was the first Democrat in over 40 years in Louisiana to win a second term and the campaign won the AAPC Democratic Campaign of the Year award for 2019. Arceneaux is an attorney and former member of the Louisiana and Florida Bars and lives in Jacksonville Beach.
Alvin Brown, Senior Advisor for Political Engagement, Former Mayor of Jacksonville
Alvin Brown was the first Black Mayor of Jacksonville, serving from. 2011-2015. Prior to his time as mayor, Brown was a Senior Member of White House leadership team under President Bill Clinton, served as Al Gore's Senior Advisor for Urban Policy, as well as Vice Chair of the White House Community Empowerment Board. Most recently, Brown completed a fellowship at the Georgetown University of Politics and Public Service.
Javier Cuebas, Coordinated Coalitions Director Javier Cuebas
Javier Cuebas brings two decades of experience bridging communities and mobilizing diverse coalitions. He has worked on numerous high-profile campaigns on issues ranging from environmental justice for Vieques, Puerto Rico to challenging the Trump Administration’s inhumane treatment of migrant children and their efforts to undercut refugee resettlement. He has worked for groups like VAMOS4PR, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, American Foreign Service Association, and the League of United Latin American Citizens just to name a few. His political experience in Florida includes the Gore/Lieberman 2000 and Kerry/Edwards Presidential 2004. Javier will begin working on the campaign the week of August 10.
Rachel Niemerski, Coordinated Organizing Director
Rachel Niemerski started with the Biden campaign in May 2019 as Deputy Organizing Director in Iowa. She then went on to be Organizing Director in California, Georgia, and Northeast states for the remainder of the primary. Prior to working on the Biden campaign, she was the Organizing Director for Governor Andrew Cuomo's 2018 reelection campaign, Organizing Director for Mayor Kathy Sheehan's 2017 reelection, and worked in organizing on Hillary Clinton's 2016 primary and general election campaigns in Iowa, Idaho, and Ohio.
Christiana Ho, Coordinated Organizing Program Director
Christiana Ho was most recently the Organizing Director for Organizing Together 2020 in Florida. Prior to that, she was the Nevada Organizing Director for Kamala Harris and served as the States Program Manager and Deputy Western Political and Organizing Director at the DNC, where she supported and managed field programs across the country. She was also on the team that won Colorado for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 general election and helped organize Nevada for Hillary Clinton for the 2016 caucus.
Amir Avin, Coordinated Deputy Communications Director
Amir Avin returns to Florida after serving as Communications Director for Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. Prior to that role he served as a Regional Press Secretary for Andrew Gillum's 2018 gubernatorial campaign and as Deputy Communications Director for the Florida Democratic Party in 2017. Avin has also served as Deputy Campaign Manager and Organizing Director for former Rep. Joe Garcia's 2016 Congressional Campaign, as Campaign Manager for Lauren Poe's 2016 mayoral campaign, and in various other political organizing roles throughout Florida.
Jackie McGuinness, Press Secretary
Jackie McGuinness joins Kevin Munoz on the Florida press team. Jackie is returning to Florida after serving as communications director for U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.). Previously, she served as press secretary for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and communications advisor to Nelson’s 2018 campaign.
Karla Alvarado, Coordinated Coalition Deputy Press Secretary for Hispanic Media
Karla Alvarado is the daughter of two formerly undocumented Honduran immigrants. She has interned at the Obama Foundation, the Chelsea Collaborative, and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office. She is currently based out of Miami, Florida, where she worked for Forward Florida Action. Most recently, she served as the Hispanic Press Associate at the Florida Democratic Party.
Freedom Murphy, Coordinated Coalition Deputy Press Secretary for African American and Caribbean Media
Freedom Alexander Murphy is a communications associate in the War Room at the Center for American Progress Action Fund where he focuses on bracketing, state press campaigns, and rapid response. Prior to joining the War Room staff, Murphy worked at Media Matters for America and has also held communications positions at the White House, on Capitol Hill, and at several globally leading public relations firms. An Atlanta, GA native, Murphy is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he earned his degree in Strategic, Legal, and Management Communications.
