After having won back a majority in the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm elections, Democrats thought they were all set with a winning team as they prepare to defend that newly-won majority in the upcoming 2020 elections.
But in what must be a disappointing move for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the recently-promoted chief of staff, who played an important role in the 2018 victory, has already decided to move on to “other opportunities.”
DCCC chief of staff resigns
Jalisa Washington-Price resigned this week from her position as chief of staff for the DCCC — the Democratic Party organization focused on the House — just two months after accepting the position, Politico reported.
In an emailed statement, Washington-Price said, “My time at the DCCC working to win back the House, while advancing the core values of our party — inclusion, opportunity, and progress — has been an incredible journey.”
“They have a solid team for the 2020 cycle, but other opportunities have presented themselves for me and I’m looking forward to continuing to elect Democrats this cycle,” she added.
Veteran Democratic operative
Washington-Price, who was the highest-ranked minority staffer at the DCCC, had just been announced as the organization’s new chief of staff in December.
Prior to that promotion, she had served the DCCC as the director of the committee’s diversity office and oversaw all matters related to diversity and inclusion.
In that role, Washington-Price was tasked with recruiting minority staffers to the DCCC, as well as help manage the committee’s voter engagement efforts.
Prior to her work with the DCCC, Washington-Price served in the failed 2016 campaign of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, specifically as the political director in South Carolina and as the regional director in Ohio.
Exiting with high praise
Allison Jaslow, the DCCC’s executive director, praised Washington-Price’s “commitment” to the progressive cause.
“Jalisa is one of the most committed Democrats I have met in my career,” said Jaslow. “Jalisa will be missed, but I’m confident that she will take on her next challenge with the same commitment to progress that she has shown throughout her career.”
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While Washington-Price didn’t reveal any details about her new job opportunity, given the high praise she received on her way out the door, she is most likely not done with her efforts to help progressive Democrats gain more political power.