Flurnoy is expected to be replaced by Lorraine Wallace, a veteran Democrat communications strategist who joined Harris’s office as an adviser last summer. Walls will focus on “organizational development, strategic communications and long-term planning,” an official told CNN at the time.
In an email to CNN staff, Flournoy said she was “forever grateful to the vice president for giving me this amazing opportunity” and thanked staff.
“It was my intention to speak with all of you individually to let you know that I will soon be leaving the Vice President’s office and my role as Chief of Staff,” she wrote, noting that news of her departure may come before she succeeds. him.
“But I will still talk to you in the coming days. Then I will say – in much more poetic language, no doubt – that it was an honor to work for the Vice President and a great joy to get to know Kamala Harris and see first hand the great passion she brings to her work. “
The Washington Post announced for the first time the departure of Flournoy. Flournoy is the latest in a long line of resignations from the vice president’s office, which has been shaken many times in recent months. Flournoy deputy Michael Fuchs announced earlier this month that he would leave the administration. The White House recently confirmed that National Security Adviser Nancy McEldowney will step down to be replaced by her deputy, Phil Gordon. And Harris’s communications team has changed almost completely in recent months after its communications director, Ashley Etienne, chief spokeswoman and senior adviser, Simone Sanders, and deputy spokeswoman, Sabrina Singh, left office months after month.
Flournoy, who joined the team at the start of the operation, moved the office to a difficult summer for the vice president, during which sHarrishe drew criticism after several communication errors and staffing problems. Republicans took advantage of all the obvious mistakes made mercilessly against the vice president.
One of the most difficult moments for Flournoy came after countless reports of dysfunction outweighed the office’s message, many of which focused on the Chief of Staff’s leadership – and hence Harris’s leadership. Walls was hired in the middle of these summer reports.
In a statement Thursday, Harris praised his outgoing employee.
“Tina was a valuable advisor and confidant to me and a great leader for the office. “From day one, she led our team for a historic first year, as we made progress in rebuilding our economy here at home and our alliances around the world,” Harris wrote. “Tina is the best civil servant and I will continue to rely on her advice, advice and friendship.”
And White House Chief of Staff Ron Klein, whom Flurnoy knew before joining the White House, praised her as “a critical member of the White House team from day one, working with the president and vice president to make their partnership effective and effective.” help the administration implement critical priorities. “
“Her experience, wisdom and hard work have contributed to our success on many issues,” Klein said.
This year, Harris believes the first few months of Harris’s second year have been particularly successful for the vice president, who has recently weathered important foreign policy issues, avoiding any disagreement, including high-level travel to Germany and Poland amid Russia’s invasion. Ukraine, which has helped strengthen its place among President Joe Biden’s top envoys for a continent in conflict.
This story has been updated with additional reports.
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