As former President Donald Trump solidifies his position in the GOP primary, President Joe Biden’s campaign is shifting gears towards the general election. Key advisers from the West Wing are preparing to transition to Biden’s reelection campaign, signaling a full pivot to the upcoming electoral battle.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s 2020 campaign manager, is set to chair his reelection efforts, a senior Biden adviser revealed. Her transition from the White House may occur sooner than anticipated due to Trump’s rapid consolidation of the Republican nomination. O’Malley Dillon has been serving as the White House deputy chief of staff since Biden’s inauguration.
Another top Biden White House adviser, Mike Donilon, is also expected to join the campaign as its chief strategist. Donilon will be responsible for the campaign’s messaging and paid media strategies, according to campaign officials.
The transition of these key figures is expected to occur in the “coming weeks,” indicating that the Biden campaign is already shifting into general election mode. “This is the time when the campaign needs to have all hands on deck,” a senior Biden adviser stated.
In a statement, Biden commended O’Malley Dillon for leading his “winning campaign in the midst of a historically challenging environment” in 2020. He also expressed his gratitude to both O’Malley Dillon and Donilon for their service in the White House over the past three years and their commitment to his reelection campaign.
The relocation of some West Wing staff to Biden’s 2024 headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, has been under discussion for weeks. This move is designed to alleviate concerns from leading Democrats, including those in former President Barack Obama’s circle, about the campaign’s readiness for the upcoming electoral fight.
Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who will remain as campaign manager, will work in conjunction with the transitioning team. Despite facing criticism for her lack of previous campaign management experience, Chavez Rodriguez’s defenders argue that she has been at a disadvantage due to the West Wing’s control over significant campaign decisions.
As Trump continues to dominate the GOP primary field, the Biden campaign is preparing for a potential rematch. With low approval ratings and tight polling in key battleground states, the Biden campaign is focusing on changing minds as voters begin to tune in.
As Biden’s campaign shifts into high gear, the president is expected to spend more time on the campaign trail. He recently held his first joint rally with Vice President Kamala Harris in Northern Virginia, focusing on abortion rights. He is also set to appear alongside the United Auto Workers, with their endorsement looming, and will travel to battleground Wisconsin and South Carolina, where the first Democratic primary of the cycle will take place on February 3.
Contributor: Betsy Klein, CNN