Tom Steyer 2020
via the Minority Eye
October 30, 2019

Tom Steyer 2020 Campaign Announces Key South Carolina Hires

(SOUTH CAROLINA) —  Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer announced members of his South Carolina leadership team today. Steyer’s senior staff will be responsible for carrying out his vision to restore power to the people, with progressive policies that call for structural reform and the enactment of his 5 Rights Agenda.

“I’m confident that the team announced today will share with South Carolinians Tom’s transformative vision to reinvest in America’s promise,” said Campaign Manager Heather Hargreaves. “The strength of our team lies not only in our diversity, but also in our shared commitment to break the corporate stranglehold on our democracy, tackle the existential threat of the climate crisis, and put people over profits.”  

The state team is led by Jonathan Metcalf, a 30-year veteran in South Carolina politics. Metcalf serves as the campaign’s state director and has held prominent roles in presidential campaigns. Having joined the campaign in early August, Metcalf laid the groundwork for Steyer’s first endorsement, from former State Rep. Harold Mitchell (D-31), and for solid-state polling that hit 4 percent support in a Fox News poll released Sunday and qualified him for the November debate.
The Steyer campaign announced the following South Carolina hires:

Jerry Govan, Senior Advisor – South Carolina State Rep. Jerry Govan, Jr., chair of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, has been an influential member of the South Carolina House since 1993 representing District 95 in Orangeburg County. Govan previously served as the co-chair and senior advisor to former Vice-President Joe Biden during his 2008 presidential bid. He serves on the Education and Public Works Committee and the Operations and Management Committee.

Brandon Upson, Senior Advisor – Brandon Upson is an accomplished political strategist, youth advocate, organizer, and entrepreneur. He joined Need to Impeach in 2018 as an organizing manager. In 2016, Brandon joined MoveOn.Org’s United Against Hate Campaign,  where he developed and directed the campaign strategy and voter contact efforts that led to several unforeseeable campaign victories across South Carolina. Brandon’s work on political and advocacy campaigns across the country has resulted in flipping City Council seats in deep-red municipalities.

Jonathan Metcalf, South Carolina State Director – Metcalf is a veteran political strategist who has amassed over 30 years of experience. Jonathan has been an influential figure in over seven presidential campaigns and has worked on over 54 congressional campaigns throughout his career. Jonathan has led teams that have won South Carolina’s primary election in four cycles. In 2008, Metcalf served as President Obama’s political director for upstate South Carolina, and in 2016, he served as the state chair for the Ready for Hillary super PAC.

Dwayne Sims, Deputy South Carolina State Director – Dwane Sims, a Democratic analyst and expert on black and southern voter outreach, previously served as the South Carolina Democratic Party’s data director. Dwane is a combat veteran who served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Carolina.

Jill Fletcher, Political Director – Jill has been in the frontlines of South Carolina politics for over 20 years. Her experience ranges from municipal and statewide campaigns to fundraising for the South Carolina Democratic Party under Chairman Joe Erwin. Jill has built a strong coalition with her non-profit and caucus work. Throughout her political career, Jill has built enduring relationships that she is excited to bring to the Tom Steyer 2020 campaign.

Tiffiany Vaughn Jones, Communications Director – Tiffiany Vaughn Jones is a communications and marketing professional with over 14 years of experience who will serve as communications director. Before launching Brash v2.0 Communications, Vaughn Jones began her career in entertainment and lifestyle public relations. She jumped into electoral politics in 2008, stumping in crucial battleground states for President Obama. In 2016, Tiffiany relocated to Iowa to help strengthen and amplify the voices of African American and Latino communities for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Tiffiany earned statewide recognition for mobilization strategies and was a driving force behind record-breaking voter turnout in Latino precincts.

Tom Steyer 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, November 4, 2019

Steyer Campaign Staffer Resigns Over Handling of DNC Voter Files

(Columbia, S.C., November 4, 2019) — Tom Steyer 2020 Campaign Manager Heather Hargreaves released the following statement after Dwane Sims, the staffer involved in downloading data from the Harris Campaign, offered his resignation from the campaign:

“Last week, the South Carolina Democratic Party turned off voter file access to the Steyer campaign for a short period of time. When it was reinstated, Dwane Sims, a former South Carolina Democratic Party employee, had access to other presidential campaign data. Within minutes of realizing this, Sims called the South Carolina Democratic Party to alert them, and the access was turned off by the party authorities.

“Over the weekend, the Steyer campaign placed Sims on paid administrative leave while we conducted an investigation. After that internal investigation, he resigned from the campaign.

“The Steyer campaign takes this issue very seriously. When we first learned about the matter, we conducted an internal investigation and wiped Mr. Sims’ computer to make sure the data was completely deleted and that there was no access to other campaign data. We understand the sensitivity and importance of this information.

“We apologize to the South Carolina Democratic Party and the DNC. Tom Steyer and the Steyer campaign extend our deepest apology to Senator Kamala Harris and her campaign.”



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See also:

Jamie Lovegrove.  "
Tom Steyer aide resigns after stealing Kamala Harris’ SC 2020 volunteer data."  The Post and CourierNov. 4, 2019

--.  "Tom Steyer Rolls Out 'First in the South' Campaign Team." FITSNEWS, Oct. 14, 2019.