Kamala Harris’s former state operations director Kelly Mehlenbacher resigned from the campaign, criticizing its treatment of employees.
“This is my third presidential campaign and I have never seen an organization treat its staff so poorly,” Mehlenbacher said, according to Fox News. “While I still believe that Senator Harris is the strongest candidate to win in the General Election in 2020, I no longer have confidence in our campaign or its leadership.”
Fox News reported that Mehlenbacher will serve as the deputy chief operating officer for Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign. She had previously worked for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
The letter comes amidst other sides of trouble for the Harris campaign, with other aides giving similar accounts of dysfunctionality in the organization. While she was originally seen as a top contender for the Democratic primary, Harris has continued to be stuck in the single digits.
“Our team, from the candidate to organizers across the country, are working day in and out to make sure Kamala is the nominee to take on Donald Trump and end the national nightmare that is his presidency,” campaign manager Juan Rodriguez said in a statement. “Just like every campaign, we have made tough decisions to have the resources we need to place in Iowa and springboard into the rest of the primary calendar.”
Rodriguez’s own role within the campaign has been criticized by some top Harris supporters. According to Slate, Rep. Marcia Fudge, who endorsed Harris, has called for Rodriguez’s firing.
“I have told her there needs to be a change,” Fudge said. “The weakness is at the top. And it’s clearly Juan. He needs to take responsibility — that’s where the buck stops.”
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff or submitting a story.
