Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee – 2019-20

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Chairwoman  Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17)

(elected )  Elected to Congress in Nov. 2012, defeating incumbent Rep. Bobby Schilling (R).  Elected to the East Molline City Council in 2007 and re-elected in 2011.  Vice president of corporate communications for Iowa Health System, 2007-11.  Senior director of corporate communications for Trinity Regional Health Systems, 2001-07.  Worked for the Quad-City Times for 17 years as a reporter and editor.  Master's degree in journalism from University of Illinois Springfield, 1985; bachelor's degree in political science from University of Maryland College Park, 1983.  twitter

Director of the Office of the Chairwoman  Caroline Pratt

(Jan. 2019)  Finance director and deputy campaign manager on Gretchen Whitmer for Governor (MI), Oct. 2017-Dec. 2018.  Finance director for Frontline and Red to Blue Programs, Feb.-Sept. 2017.  Finance director on Friends of Cheri Bustos, Oct. 2015-Feb. 2017.  West deputy finance director at the DSCC, Apr.-Oct. 2015.  Fundraising consultant at Fiorello Consulting, Jan. 2013-Apr. 2015.  Operations assistant (Sept. 2012-Jan. 2013) and interim assistant to the executive director (Aug.-Sept. 2012) at the DCCC.  B.A. in political science and government from University of Mississippi, 2012.

Finance Committee Co-Chairs  Reps. Don Beyer and Debbie Dingell

(announced Mar. 4, 2019)

Recruitment Committee Co-Chairs  Reps. Pete Aguilar, Val Demings and Donald McEachin

(announced Jan. 9, 2019)

Frontline Program Co-Chairs  Reps. Ami Bera, Suzan DelBene and Brad Schneider

(announced Jan. 9, 2019)

Heartland Engagement Chair  Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-5) 

(announced Feb. 11, 2019)

Aug. 1, 2019: The DCCC is in disarray after major resignations on July 29 due to a dispute over lack of diversity.

On July 29 Politico reported resignations of:

Executive Director Allison Jaslow
Deputy Executive Director Nick Pancrazio
Communications Director Jared Smith
Deputy Communications Director Melissa Miller
Political Director for Campaigns and Recruitment Molly Ritner
Director of Diversity Van Ornelas

"Today has been a sobering day filled with tough conversations that too often we avoid. But I can say confidently that we are taking the first steps toward putting the DCCC back on path to protect and expand our majority, with a staff that truly reflects the diversity of our Democratic caucus and our party." - statement by DCCC Chair U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos


See:
Brent Scher.  "Just-Promoted DCCC Official Has History of Homophobic, Racist Comments.  Washington Free Beacon, June 24, 2019. 

Jake Sherman, Laura Barrón-López and Heather Caygle.  "Black, Latino Dems torch DCCC for lack of diversity."  Politico, July 25, 2019.

Heather Caygle, Laura Barrón-López and Jake Sherman.  "DCCC in 'complete chaos' as uproar over diversity intensifies."  Politico, July 29, 2019.

Heather Caygle, Jake Sherman and Laura Barrón-López.  "DCCC faces upheaval after diversity uproar."  Politico, July 29, 2019.

Al Weaver and Julia Manchester.  "DCCC faces mass staff shakeup: 'It's the Monday Night Massacre."  The Hill, July 30, 2019.

Simone Pathé.  "Exodus at the DCCC: Top aides quit House Democrats' campaign arm.  Roll Call, July 30, 2019.

EXECUTIVE


Executive Council: Jacqueline Newman, Charles Benton, Jackie Forte-Mackay, Daniel Kazin, Kory Kozloski, Samantha McClain, Dennis Raj, Jillian Shweiki, Alexandra Smith, Michael Smith and Ryan Thompson

(announced July 29, 2019)

Interim Executive Director  Jacqueline Newman

(announced July 29, 2019)  DCCC COO (from Jan. 2017), chief administrative officer (Jan. 2015-Dec. 2016) and deputy COO (Jan. 2014-Dec. 2015).  COO on Terry McAuliffe for Governor, Dec. 2012-Jan. 2014.  Director of operations for the DCCC's 2012 I.E. program, May-Dec. 2012.  Director of operations for Protect Your Care and Know Your Care, April 2011-May 2012.  Deputy director of compliance and operations for the Indiana Democratic Party, April-Dec. 2010.  Compliance director at A Strong Majority, April 2009-April 2010.  GIS specialist for the Timmons Group, May 2008-March 2010.  Studied at Mary Washington College.



...organization to July 29, 2019:

EXECUTIVE

Executive Director  Allison Jaslow

(announced Dec. 13, 2018)   Independent consultant for Integrity Matters, April-Nov. 2018.  Executive director (April 2017-Mar. 2018), chief of staff (Mar. 2016-April 2017) and director of political and intergovernmental affairs at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).  Program director for policy and political affairs at the Human Rights Campaign, May-Oct. 2015.  Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, Jan. 2013-April 2015.  Campaign manager on Friends of Cheri Bustos, April-Dec. 2012.  Senior advisor and communications director to U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman, Feb.-April 2012.  Press secretary to U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (VA), Jan. 2011-Jan. 2012.  Press secretary to U.S. Rep. Steve Kagan (WI), Jan.-Dec. 2010.  Communications director for the Democratic Party of Virginia, July 2009-Jan. 2010.  Special assistant to the director of communications at the White House, Jan.-Jun. 2009.   Operations director on Carol Shea-Porter for Congress (NH), July-Nov. 2008.  Served 3 years 10 months in the U.S Army as battalion adjutant in Baghdad, Iraq (Sept. 2006-June 2008), executive officer in Ft. Carson, CO, Jan.-Sept. 2006; and platoon leader and accountable officer in Taji, Iraq (Sept. 2004-Dec. 2005).  B.S. in political science and military science from University of Central Missouri, 2004; A.A. in liberal arts from Wentworth Military Academy and College, 2002.  twitter


Deputy Executive Director and Director of Campaigns  Danny Kazin   

(announced Jan. 9, 2019...oversee the political, candidate fundraising, field, and analytics departments)  Campaign manager on Jacky Rosen's U.S. Senate campaign in Nevada, June 2017-Nov. 2018.  Western region political director at the DCCC in the 2016 cycle.  Campaign manager on U.S. Rep. Ami Bera's 2014 re-election campaign in CA-7.  Campaign manager on Thomas Suozzi's run for Nassau County executive, 2013.  Worked on Ami Bera's 2012 congressional campaign.  Worked on U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop's 2010 re-election.

Deputy Executive Director, Finance and Member Engagement  Michael Smith

(Jan. 2019...DCCC national finance director, Jan. 2017-Jan. 2019)  Political director for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi from Jan. 2017.  National finance director for outreach on Hillary for America, Apr. 2015-Nov. 2016.  DC finance director at the DCCC and finance director House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Jan. 2013-March 2015.  Deputy DC finance director at the DCCC, Sept. 2011-Dec. 2012.  Development manager for Campus Progress, Feb.-Sept. 2011.  Finance on Sestak for Senate, July-Nov. 2010.  Director of the Council of State Governments' Legal Task Force (Aug. 2009-July 2010) and legislative policy analyst (June 2007-July 2010) at the Council of State Governments.  B.A. in political science from Rutgers University, 2007.

Deputy Executive Director  Nicholas Pancrazio

Director of business operations and compliance (Dec. 2017-Jan. 2019) and business operations and compliance advisor (June-Nov. 2017) at the ACLU. Chief compliance officer on Hillary for America, April 2015-Jan. 2017.  Director of operations for House Majority PAC, April 2013-March 2015.  Director of compliance and vetting at Obama for America, April 2011-Feb. 2013.  Research supervisor-compliance (Aug. 2010-March 2011) and research associate-compliance (Oct. 2009-July 2010 at the DNC.  B.A. in political science and government from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008.

POLITICAL

Director  Danny Kazin (see above)

National Political Director for Frontline  Kory Kozloski

(announced Jan. 9, 2019)   Northeast regional political director at the DCCC from April 2017.  Executive director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Nov. 2015-Feb. 2017.  Senior associate at A | L Media, Nov. 2011-Oct. 2015.  Director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Coordinated Campaign (Senate recalls), March-Sept. 2011.  Executive director of the Wisconsin State Democratic Committee, Jan. 2009-March 2011.  Chief of staff to Wisconsin State Sen. Lena Taylor, Nov. 2006-Dec. 2007.  Campaign manager on John Lehman for Senate, April-Nov. 2006.  B.A. in political science from UW-Milwaukee, 2004. twitter


National Political Director for Campaigns and Recruitment  Molly Ritner

(announced Jan. 9, 2019)  Midwest regional political director at the DCCC in the 2018 cycle.  Campaign manager on Sue Minter's run for governor of Vermont from Feb. 2016.  Campaign manager at Friends of Gary McCollum for State Senate (Virginia Beach, VA), 2015.  Midwest fundraising director for the DCCC, 2013-14.  Finance director on U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan's (MN) 2012 re-election campaign.  Finance director on Chris Donovan for Congress (CT-5) from July 2012.  Deputy finance director on U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich (NM)'s 2010 re-election campaign.  twitter

FIELD

Title?  Dennis Raj

Western regional targeting director at the DCCC from Sept. 2017.  Data coordinator for the California Democratic Party, July-Nov. 2016.  DCCC field director in CA-24, Mar.-June 2016.  Field director on Salud Carbajal for Congress (CA), Oct. 2015-Feb. 2016.  Political director (Feb. 2013-Aug. 2015 and campaign coordinator (Aug.-Nov. 2012) for the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council (in San Jose, CA).  Assistant to the managing director (Jan. 2011-Aug. 2012) and deputy IT director (July-Dec. 2010 at the California Democratic Party.  Special assistant/body person at the California Department of Education, Dec. 2008-July 2010.  B.A. in political science from UC Davis. 

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director  Jared Smith                     

(announced Dec. 13, 2018)  Deputy chief of staff and communications director to Rep. Bustos, Sept. 2015-Dec. 2018.   Deputy campaign manager (April-Nov. 2014) and communications director (April 2013-April 2014) on Anthony Brown for Governor (MD).  Communications director to U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (MI), Aug. 2011-April 2013.  Communications director on Callaghan for Congress, May-Nov. 2010.  Communications director in the U.S. House, Mar. 2009-May 2010.  Graduate of Allegheny College.  Native of Rochester, NY.  twitter

Deputy Communications Director  Melissa Miller

(Jan. 2019)  Press secretary at the Democratic Governors Association, Sept. 2017-Dec. 2018.  Communications director to U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer from Jan. 2017.  Press secretary at the New Hampshire Democratic Party, Oct. 2015-Dec. 2016.  Press secretary (June 2014-Oct. 2015) and scheduler (Jan. 2013-May 2014) to U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos.  Call time manager at Friends of Cheri Bustos, Jan.-Dec. 2012.  Fall fellow and office schedule manager at Obama for America, Sept.-Dec. 2011.  B.A. in government, performing arts, French from Georgetown University, 2011.  twitter

National Press Secretary  Cole Leiter

Southern regional press secretary at the DCCC in the 2018 cycle from March 2017.  Press secretary on Deborah Ross for U.S. Senate (NC), April-Nov. 2016.  Deputy communications director and digital director to U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO), Jan. 2015-April 2016; staff assistant/press assistant in the U.S. House, June 2014-Jan. 2015.  B.A. in political economy from Williams College, 2014.  twitter

Regional Press Secretary  Brooke Goren

(Feb. 2019)  Deputy communications director for the Missouri Democratic Party, Jan.-Nov. 2018.  Public affairs for the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Jan. 2017-Jan. 2018.  Press assistant (July-Nov. 2016) and research associate (July 2015-July 2016) for Hillary for America.  Studied public policy at the University of Chicago.  twitter

RESEARCH



MARKETING AND NEW MEDIA

Chief Digital Officer  Ryan Thompson

(announced Dec. 13, 2018)  Deputy digital director (Feb. 2017-Nov. 2018), email production manager (Feb. 2016-Jan. 2017) and digital membership coordinator (March 2015-Feb. 2016) at the DCCC.  Field organizer on the North Carolina Coordinated Campaign, Aug.-Nov. 2014.  Graphic designer (Jan.-Aug. 2014) and copywriter (March 2013-Jan. 2014) at Fanatics, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL.  Contributing writer at Folio Weekly, Dec. 2012-Jan. 2014.  B.S. degrees in communication and English from University of North Florida, Dec. 2012.

FINANCE

Finance  Alexandra Smith

Started as DCCC deputy national finance director in Dec. 2017  Previously DCCC finance chief of staff and operations director, Feb.-Dec. 2017.  Deputy finance outreach director on Hillary for America, April 2015-Nov. 2016.  Deputy finance director at Ready for Hillary, Sept. 2013-April 2015.  Grassroots associate at Dewey Square Group, July 2010-Aug. 2013.  B.S. in architecture from University of Virginia, 2010.  twitter

CANDIDATE SERVICES



MEMBER SERVICES

[provides support for Democratic Members of Congress while they conduct their political activities]

Director of Member Services  Charles Benton

(Sept. 2011)  Public affairs policy advocate at the American Association for Justice, 2008-09.  Deputy director of member services at the DCCC, 2004-08.  J.D. from Howard University School of Law, 2002; B.A. in political science from Macalester College, 1994.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY



CFO

Chief Financial Officer  Jackie Forte-Mackay

(overseeing the Committee's finances and compliance reporting)  Has served as the DCCC's CFO for several decades. 

CAO

Chief Administrative Officer  Jillian Shweiki

(Jan. 2019)  Shweiki has worked at the DCCC since Apr. 2014: deputy chief operating officer (Feb. 2017-Dec. 2018), finance operations director (Feb. 2015-Jan. 2017) and assistant to the COO (Apr. 2014-Jan. 2015).


Director of Diversity  Van Ornelas

(Feb. 2019)  Communications manager/public information officer (Feb. 2017-Feb. 2019) and council assistant (Mar. 2015-Feb. 2017) with the City of Glendale, AZ.  Managing director at PRSC, LLC, July 2011-Mar. 2015; Western states representative at David Browne Media, Jan. 2011-Mar. 2015.  Director of public affairs (2009-11) and director of community relations and outreach (2006-09) at Arizona State University.  Government relations analyst/lobbyist for the Arizona School Boards Association, 2004-06.  Director of membership and deputy director of constituency services at NALEO, 1999-2001.  M.P.A. from CUNY Baruch College, 1999; B.A. in communication from Arizona State University, 1994.

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