WASHINGTON — Two White House staffers are expected to leave the Biden administration soon to join Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign as the operation expands in the final 80-day sprint to Election Day, according to two administration officials and a campaign official. Acts granted anonymity to discuss internal decisions.
With the departures, the White House is promoting Herbie Ziskend, deputy director of communications, to the top job to help manage the messaging around it. President Joe Biden’s legacy is nearing his final months in office, one of the officials said.
White House deputy communications director Kristen Orthman will step down to join the Harris campaign in a planning role that will coordinate across multiple departments.
Kate Berner will continue to serve as a communications consultant to the Harris campaign and will now serve as a senior advisor to Governor Tim Walz’s team.
Ian Sams, a spokesman for the White House adviser on oversight, will take over as a senior spokesman for the campaign. His departure was first reported by The Washington Post.
The Harris campaign plans to announce more new staff roles on Friday, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Ziskend, who first worked with Biden when he was a senator, also worked for the vice president for a year and a half when he took office before moving to the White House communications shop.
Ziskend and White House communications director Ben LaBolt will now work more closely on how the president plans to carry out an agenda in the final part of his term.
LaBolt called Ziskend a “long-time and trusted Biden aide” in an email to staff Friday morning, adding that Orthman “has been a cornerstone of the operation, selflessly committed to taking everything on board, running a seamless process, and helping the team resolve any issues.” helped. the problem that arose.”