Some staffers are leaving the White House, in part, due to the fear of becoming a āHarris person,ā according to a report.
Axios reported on Friday people familiar with the situation say āburnout, better opportunities and concern about being permanently branded a āHarris personā is driving some of the turnoverā in Vice President Kamala Harrisā office.
One Democratic strategist told the outlet the vice president needs āsomeone loyal, who can think methodically to best position the vice president and to make sure everything sheās doing is being maximized and communicated to a broad population and get her numbers up.ā
According to Axios, another Democratic operative close to Harrisā office claims the departures are adding āpressure to Harrisā chief of staff, Tina Flournoy, to avoid an internal collapse and external criticism.ā
The operative added, āIf we mess this up, itās going to set women back when it comes to running for higher office for years to come.ā
The report comes just days after Symone Sanders, a senior adviser and chief spokesperson for Harris, announced she is leaving, as IJR reported.
An official told Politico Harris and President Joe Biden have āknown for a whileā about Sandersā plan to leave.
āIām so grateful to the VP for her vote of confidence from the very beginning and the opportunity to see what can be unburdened by what has been,ā Sanders said in a note to staff.
She added, āIām grateful for Tina and her leadership and her confidence as well. Every day, I arrived to the White House complex knowing our work made a tangible difference for Americans. I am immensely grateful and will miss working for her and with all of you.ā
Flournoy also said in a note to staff, āSymone told the VP a couple months ago that sheād be leaving us at the end of the year. Iāve often said about her that no job is too big or too small for Symone.ā
Last month, Harrisā communications director, Ashley Etienne, announced she would be leaving her post, as IJR reported.
An official for the White House told Fox News, āAshley is a valued member of the Vice Presidentās team, who has worked tirelessly to advance the goals of this administration,ā adding, āShe is leaving the office in December to pursue other opportunities.ā
