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Jamal Simmons, who serves as communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris, announced on Friday that he is stepping down after a year on the job, marking the latest departure in an exodus of staffers from the vice president’s office.
Simmons, who is expected to leave the role next month, told Politico that it’s been “an honor and a privilege” to work for the vice president.
“I’m so thankful for the confidence she put in me,” the outgoing staffer said.
As Harris stumbles into gaffes and reportedly increases tensions in the West Wing, several high-level staffers have left her office this year. Former chief of staff Tina Flournoy, former deputy chief of staff Michael Fuchs, and former domestic policy adviser Rohini Kosoglu all quit earlier this year.
During his time in the VP’s office, Simmons pushed Harris to do more interviews, Politico reported:
During his tenure as comms director, he helped stabilize the vice president’s team and pushed it to adopt a more offensive posture after a first year beset by missteps and with scrutiny, [which] neither the White House nor Harris’s office were prepared for.
Simmons was among the most vocal aides encouraging Harris to conduct more interviews. He also advocated that she hit the road to introduce herself to the country.
Simmons said he is moving to New York and did not comment on future employment plans.
