Misty Rebik, Sanders’ former Iowa state director and executive director of his campaign committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders, is taking the lead as his new chief of staff. Ari Rabin-Havt, Sanders’ deputy campaign manager in 2020, who previously worked in his senate office, serves as its new legislative director.
“He is bringing campaign hands that worked with him through the campaign, very closely with Ari and Misty to man the official office,” said a source with knowledge of the changes. “It could be that he’s finally processing his role as a full – time senator.”
Sanders’ former chief of staff, Caryn Compton, is stepping down, and his former legislative director, Lori Kearns, has taken over as chief of staff for the health, education, labor and pensions subcommittee on primary health and retirement security. . Communications Director Keane Bhatt resigned immediately. Sanders is also hiring Bill Dauster, former deputy chief of staff, for Harry Reid, former leader of the Senate majority, as chief executive for the budget committee.
“As Senator Sanders assumes the new responsibilities of the incoming Chairman of the Budget Committee, our office is excited to recruit new staff to help us advance the Senator’s agenda in the new Congress,” Rebik said in a statement. As we reorganize the office, we understand the new opportunities offered by the new Democratic Congress and White House. We are sad to see our departing staff members go, and we wish them all the best and thank them for their incredible work over the years. ”
On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reached an agreement that allowed Democrats to finally accept the roles of committee chairman.
Those familiar with the uproar said the shifts were in some cases the result of staff members who had been with Sanders for years when he chased the White House deciding to separate time.
Sanders ran for president in 2016 and 2020, campaigning for five years. During that time, he attracted many helpers inside and outside his campaign who committed themselves to bringing him to the White House. Sanders, who is 79, is not expected to run again by those familiar with his thinking, except for a few extraordinary circumstances.
Sanders delivered a play to become President Joe Biden’s Labor Secretary, but Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was eventually used for the post. If appointed, Sanders would be able to man the Department of Labor.
Biden said he had seriously considered Sanders for the Labor Secretary, but that the two men both think the result of the Senate election in Georgia, in which Democrats elected two seats, changes the equation. “Bernie and I agreed – and in fact, Bernie said, ‘we can not jeopardize Senate control for the outcome of a special election in Vermont,'” Biden said last month.
According to someone familiar with the staff changes, Compton is leaving Sanders’ office to provide care to family members. For some in Sanders’ office, the Vermont senator’s decision to present Kearns as a subcommittee is seen as a diminished role to her, though others disagree and see it as a lateral move or even improvement.
As one of our longtime staff members in the areas of health care, medicine awards, ‘Medicare for All’, community health centers and other top priorities for the senator, Lori will play a critical role as HR Director for the HELP subcommittee ” senior role that enables her to ease her policies and advance these issues in the Democratic majority, ” Sanders said.
Matt Duss, Sanders’ foreign policy adviser, who has become a well-known figure among progressive activists, is expected to leave for a post in the Biden government department, sources said. However, this has not been finalized.
If the scenario materializes, it will be seen by many on the left as a victory for progressives.
Duss declined to comment. A Foreign Ministry spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.