President Biden is known for his small, tight-knit group of longtime aides, a trait that has earned both praise and criticism. In contrast, if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected president, she is expected to rely on a larger, younger, and more diverse team of trusted advisers, reports Axios.
Harris, a generation younger than Biden, is likely to adopt a more collaborative approach to decision-making, drawing on input from over a dozen confidants. This marks a shift from Biden’s style and reflects her emphasis on inclusivity in policymaking. One of her key advisers, Rohini Kosoglu, Harris’ former domestic policy adviser and Senate chief of staff, describes how Harris consistently pushes her team to consider diverse perspectives, particularly focusing on the lived experiences of different communities.
Harris’ Inner Circle:
Family: Harris consults her family for advice, including Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, her sister Maya Harris, and brother-in-law Tony West.
Policy Advisers:
- Brian Nelson: A key policy adviser on Harris’ campaign, Nelson has worked with her in various capacities, including during her time as California’s attorney general and U.S. senator. He most recently served as the Treasury Department’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
- Phil Gordon: Harris’ national security adviser since 2020, Gordon has extensive experience in European and Middle Eastern affairs, having worked under the Clinton and Obama administrations.
Strategy Advisers:
- Minyon Moore: A veteran Democratic operative with ties dating back to the Clinton White House, Moore has recently chaired the Democratic National Convention Committee and is a key strategist for Harris.
- Megan Jones: A senior political adviser who has worked with Harris since her 2020 presidential campaign and has deep experience in Nevada, a critical battleground state.
- Sheila Nix: Harris’ campaign chief of staff, Nix has long-standing ties to the Biden family, previously serving as Jill Biden’s chief of staff during the Obama administration.
Communications Team:
- Brian Fallon: Leading Harris’ communications strategy, Fallon brings experience from working with Senator Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, and the progressive advocacy group Demand Justice.
Legal Advisers:
- Josh Hsu: A trusted legal counsel, Hsu has advised Harris on judicial nominations and criminal justice policy, having served as her chief counsel in the VP’s office and deputy chief of staff in the Senate.
In the VP’s Office:
- Lorraine Voles: Harris’ current chief of staff, Voles is credited with stabilizing the office during a challenging period of high turnover. She brings significant White House experience, having served in the Clinton administration.
- Kirsten Allen: Harris’ White House communications director, who also worked on her 2020 presidential campaign.
- Erin Wilson: Harris’ deputy chief of staff, Wilson was a key figure in Biden’s 2020 campaign and has continued to play a strategic role in the VP’s office.
This diverse and collaborative team reflects Harris’ leadership style, which focuses on considering a wide range of perspectives as she makes decisions.
