Reports have revealed that multiple staffers for Vice President Kamala Harris have chosen to leave their positions at the White House, partially in fear of being labeled a “Harris person”.
As Harris’ poll numbers continue to decline and rumors of chaos in the White House continue, a number of Harris staffers have chosen to depart.
Axios reported that “Burnout, better opportunities and concern about being permanently branded a ‘Harris person'” are some of the reasons for turnover in Harris’ office.
An anonymous Democratic strategist said Harris needs “Someone loyal, who can think methodically to best position the vice president and to make sure everything she’s doing is being maximized and communicated to a broad population and get her numbers up”.
Another anonymous operative said “the departures add pressure to Harris’ chief of staff, Tina Flournoy, to avoid an internal collapse and external criticism”.
“If we mess this up, it’s going to set women back when it comes to running for higher office for years to come,” they told Axios.
The fear of being labeled a “Harris person” in Washington does not help the vice president’s reputation as her first year in office wraps up.
People in Harris’ office say some turnover is normal and told Axios that “the team is exhausted after a busy first year in office, especially coming off a presidential campaign and busy transition”.
Harris’ chief spokesperson, Symone Sanders, will be departing from the office at the end of the year. When asked about Sanders’ decision, Harris said “I love Symone”.
“I can’t wait to see what she will do next. I know that it’s been three years jumping on and off planes going around the country and she works very hard, and I can’t wait to see what she’ll do next,” she added.