As the presidential race intensifies, a select group of seasoned advisors, family members, and political strategists are working tirelessly to craft the campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. From managing donor networks to honing media messages, these influential figures are playing pivotal roles in the quest for the presidency, with both candidates leaning heavily on experienced hands and close family connections.
It's clear that both Harris and Trump have carefully curated their inner circles, surrounding themselves with battle-tested advisors – many of whom have weathered previous campaign storms with them – and, crucially, close family members who serve as trusted sounding boards.
On the Democratic front, Kamala Harris's campaign is steered by a compact, predominantly female team. Cedric Richmond, a former Biden advisor now serving as co-chair of Harris's campaign, told The New York Times that "the vice president selects individuals who align with her thought process, understand her work ethic, and appreciate her decisiveness."
Lorraine Voles, Harris's chief of staff, joined the team in 2021, bringing with her a wealth of White House experience from her tenure as deputy press secretary for President Bill Clinton and spokesperson for Vice President Al Gore. Voles, seasoned in navigating media turbulence, played a crucial role in steadying Harris's office during a period marred by criticism and whispers of Biden's alleged lack of faith in his second-in-command.
Doug Emhoff, the 'second gentleman', has carved out an unofficial niche as a communications advisor. Sources within Harris's inner circle, speaking to the Times, reveal that the vice president's husband takes it upon himself to brief her, off the record, on the day's headline news. He's also known to keep her informed about unfavorable press coverage, even as some of her advisors attempt to shield her from such reports.
Other family members, notably her sister Maya Harris and brother-in-law Tony West, are more deeply entrenched in shaping political strategy. The pair have been offering counsel to Harris since her days as a San Francisco prosecutor and throughout her tenure as California's attorney general. West, on leave from his position as chief legal officer at Uber, is heavily invested in Harris's campaign. In the wake of Biden's decision not to seek reelection, West has been instrumental in cultivating a network of donors and business leaders to bolster Harris's presidential bid.
At the heart of the presidential campaign, two influential women work alongside Harris. Jen O'Malley Dillon, the campaign chair, who was also involved in vetting vice presidential candidates, works in tandem with Sheila Nix, Harris's campaign chief of staff.
The communications machine is jointly helmed by Brian Fallon, the communications strategy director with a rich background in Democratic politics, and Kristine Allen, a veteran of Harris's previous campaign who focuses primarily on sculpting the vice president's political image.
A recent addition to Harris's team is Brian Nelson, who has stepped into the role of senior policy advisor. Nelson and Harris previously worked together at the California Attorney General's office in 2011, and he now occupies one of the campaign's most crucial positions. His resume includes a stint at the US Treasury Department, where, according to the Jewish Insider, he was "instrumental in orchestrating sanctions against Iran and its proxies."
Trump's presidential push
The former president's campaign is bolstered by a coterie of close advisors and family members, many of whom are veterans of his 2016 and 2020 presidential runs. Spearheading the campaign is Susie Wiles, whose primary focus spans budget management, fundraising, and strategy formulation. Wiles, a trusted lieutenant from Trump's previous campaigns, is joined at the helm by Chris LaCivita, a former Marine who shoulders additional responsibilities as co-chair. Recent speculation about Trump potentially ousting the pair due to polling concerns was swiftly quashed by the former president, who affirmed their continued leadership of the campaign.
In a notable development, Politico recently reported that Trump has brought Corey Lewandowski, his 2016 campaign manager, back into the fold as a senior campaign advisor. Lewandowski's mandate reportedly includes helping the campaign adopt a more aggressive stance against Harris, who has been gaining traction, and addressing Trump's struggle to reclaim his polling lead – a position he enjoyed when running against Biden. Alongside Lewandowski, the campaign announced the recruitment of five additional senior officials, all bringing experience from previous Trump campaigns.
The social media front is commanded by Dan Scavino, who previously served as deputy chief of staff in Trump's White House. While the former president is renowned for his unfiltered social media presence, various reports suggest that Scavino is the architect behind much of Trump's content and video productions disseminated across social platforms.
Steven Cheung serves as the Trump campaign's spokesperson, known for his 'Trumpian' style when defending his boss, as reported by Reuters. Cheung, a veteran of the 2016 campaign, had a stint in the private sector before returning to the political arena.
Trump's eldest sons, Eric and Donald Jr, are deeply embedded in the campaign machinery, having played a significant role in the vice presidential selection process. Recently, they've been joined by Trump's younger son, Barron, in an advisory capacity to his father. There are even claims circulating online that Barron was a key behind-the-scenes player in orchestrating a joint interview with Elon Musk.
