At the time, Daughtry told POLITICO: Look, [Tinas] strong, shes intelligent, shes driven, and she expects strong, intelligent, driven people around her. Bill Clinton called her appointment "great news for our country.". Mainly sunny. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Self-named political group Coloured Girls was a group of political staff in the late 80s, which consisted of Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry, Minyon Moore and Tina Flournoy, all of who are black women. Voles and another senior adviser, Adam Frankel, were brought in after Harris was criticized for messaging missteps that staff felt were overblown and reports of dysfunction in Harris office, with some of that ire pointed at Flournoy. While the Biden-Harris team has not officially Mainly sunny. "I would change the paragraph below to 'after Hillary Clinton stepped down as Secretary of State,'" one of Flournoy's suggestions reads. (Harris) represents so many things to so many people, and theyre all going to want some of her time. But Minyon Moore, another former Clinton aide and close friend of Flournoys, is assisting Harris with staffing during the transition. Sierra Stewart, Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter president at USC, is psyched to see someone who shares her Greek letters among the highest level of government. Hartina M. "Tina" Flournoy (born April 30, 1956) is an American political advisor who served as chief of staff to vice president Kamala Harris from 2021 to 2022. That follows a career that took her to top posts at the Democratic National Committee, in the presidential campaigns of former Vice President Al Gore and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and with the American Federation of Teachers. Matt McKenna, who was Clinton's spokesman during a part of Flournoy's tenure, lauded her for helping create a much-needed structure for Clinton's office. A spokeswoman for Harris did not return a request for comment. Later, she served as traveling chief of staff for Sen. Joe Lieberman during the 2000 presidential campaign, when he was Al Gore's running mate. where she pledged the Upsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The Times full coverage of Vice President and former California Senator Kamala Harris, Biden faces growing pressure over Defense secretary pick, Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon blasted at White House Correspondents dinner, Column: A centrist, third-party alternative for 2024 is a nice idea but a nightmare in practice. Then this person decided to contact Flournoy. Representation is critical more than ever before.". Flournoy is listed as general counsel for cigarette maker Phillip Morris in a 1995 White House press advisory naming Kennedy Center advisory committee members. Flournoy will lead a small office whose hires to date are all female and mostly women of color, all of whom will be working for the first woman and woman of color ever elected to national office. Matt McKenna, who was Bill Clinton's spokesperson from 2007 to 2015, noted the historic nature of Harris' candidacy and said Flournoy will skillfully manage competing demands for her time. Who is Tina Flournoy? He also covers the military community and veterans throughout South Carolina. Noah Bierman is an enterprise reporter focusing on clashes between red and blue states in the Washington bureau for the Los Angeles Times. Tina Flournoy, Vice President Kamala Harris chief of staff, is leaving the administration, a White House official confirmed to POLITICO on Thursday. CRP also says she later had stints as a counsel for the Democratic National Convention, as a leader on Clinton's transition team after he was elected in 1992, and then as counsel for the former president's office of presidential personnel. document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "© " + html; A California law says yes. And she does it all with a great sense of humor and an unwavering belief that we all have an ability and an obligation to make a difference. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has reportedly chosen Tina Flournoy as her chief of staff, a source told CNN. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. 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Jean Carroll didnt scream. Voles, who also worked on the transition, was brought in to focus on strategic communication, restructuring Harris office during growing scrutiny of the vice president last summer. While Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters have to refrain from overt endorsements, it didn't stop many individuals from showing up to events, encouraging people to vote and give financially. [7], On December 3, 2020, it was announced that Flournoy would be Chief of Staff to then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and would continue the role once Harris was sworn in. 148 Williman Street All rights reserved. It certainly speaks to me as an AKA woman, but it also speaks to me as a Black woman and a sister senator. , Post and Courier, an Evening Post Publishing Newspaper Group. The people declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. "It makes me feel proud to be a Black woman and shows that anything is possible," Chaney said. "Before people went into scheduling meetings, they had to meet with her before hand and run everything by her," a former longtime Clinton associate said. He said the people complaining about lack of access are "whiners" who "need to get a life.". won Grammys for Best New Artist and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for This Will Be., pledged Deltas Beta Alpha chapter while attending Florida A&M University. Why does all the blue crab at Walmart come from Louisiana? Flournoy keeps a low profile and is rarely photographed, but she is a powerful force behind the scenes of Democratic politics and is currently serving as former President Bill Clinton's chief of staff. Per her biography on Georgetown University's website, she previously worked for the American Federation of Teachers where she served as the assistant to the president for public policy. Several allies of Biden and Harris took to Twitter to defend Flournoy after CNBC published its story. Past positions include leading Governor Howard Dean's Democratic National Committee transition team and serving as the traveling chief of staff to Senator Joseph Lieberman, the 2000 Democratic VP nominee. Jordan graduated magna cum laude with a double major in political science and history. Symone Sanders and Ashley Etienne, announced last week as Harris press secretary and chief spokesperson, respectively, are both Black. Harris also announced Rohini Kosoglu as her domestic policy adviser and Nancy McEldowney as her national security adviser. According to this article from last summer, it's more about Flournoy than the VP. In 1969, she completed her undergraduate degree in education atJersey City State College. Low 53F. Together with the rest of my team, todays appointees will work to get this virus under control, open our economy responsibly and make sure it lifts up all Americans, and restore and advance our countrys leadership around the world, Harris said in a statement. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. All Rights Reserved. Together with the rest of my team, todays appointees will work to get this virus under control, open our economy responsibly and make sure it lifts up all Americans, and restore and advance our countrys leadership around the world, Harris said in a statement. "When you start trying to control his other senior advisors who also have his best interest in mind, it kind of becomes an information vacuum," this person said. While South Carolina went for the Donald Trump-Mike Pence ticket three weeks ago, she felt like the hard work paid off. Former colleagues describe Flournoy as a no-nonsense operative who has both policy and political chops. LOS ANGELES - NOV 14: Keshia Knight Pulliam at the "It's A Wonderful Lifetime" Red Carpet at the Grove on November 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA / Natalie Cole at 2002 Grammy Awards, LA, CA 2/27/2002, By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with EBONY to receive our weekly emails, events, and other updates. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. "It was shocking," said a person who said Flournoy yelled at them. "As a sister, I am proud," Stewart said. Got a confidential news tip? In the latter half of the 1980s, she worked as a law clerk for Julia Cooper Mack, a judge on the D.C. Court of Appeals, before jumping into politics, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. During her time with the international union, Flournoy "directed the work of the AFT's legislative, political, field and mobilization, and human rights and community outreach departments. After working on Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign for president, she became assistant to the president for public policy at the American Federation of Teachers, an influential union. Higher wind gusts possible.. Clear skies. Clinton praised the hiring of Flournoy in a tweet after Harris made the official announcement. Several questioned her methods while she worked for Clinton. President-elect Joe Biden is facing increasing pressure from competing Democratic factions as he finalizes his choice for secretary of Defense. From singers to civic leaders, here are Delta Sigma Theta members who were truly about that Greek life. There were times Flournoy yelled at longtime Clinton allies who would seek personal favors from Bill and Hillary Clinton, said people familiar with the matter. Before that, Tina Flournoy was deputy campaign manager in the 1992 Clinton and Gore Presidential Transition Office and in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. They both served as GU Politics Advisory Board members, and they returned to the virtual Hilltop to celebrate GU Politics 5th anniversary and have a conversation on the importance of public service. Harris also announced Rohini Kosoglu as her domestic policy adviser and Nancy McEldowney as her national security adviser. Kamala Harris selected Tina Flournoy, who has served as chief of staff to President Clinton, to lead her vice presidential office when she and A spokesman for Clinton did not return a request for comment. U.S. Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) speaks at a campaign event in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. October 27, 2020. But he has yet to define her role more specifically or to announce her policy portfolio. Tina Flournoy is Assistant to the President for Public Policy at the American Federation of Teachers, an international union representing over 1.4 million members. In that capacity she directs the work of the AFTs legislative, political, field and mobilization and human rights and community outreach departments. If the person wants to just say hello and have a brief conversation, Flournoy says that time will come at future private events. Kosoglu had served as Harris' top adviser during the general election campaign. Originally, she was supposed to stay on only temporarily, but aides have described her as critical to the office as shes been leaned on more and more during her time on staff. Flournoy credits her incredible success to her parents. Steven Law, who was once the chief of staff to McConnell, tweeted in support of Flournoy's work for Harris. Feinstein has vowed to return to Washington, but what happens if she doesnt? Kosoglu had served as Harris top adviser during the general election campaign. Hilton Head's preserved natural beauty is part of its brand. Flournoy graduated from Georgetown University in 1978, and also studied at Oxford University. Tina Flournoy, the chief of staff for Vice President Kamala Harris, has established a reputation as a tough gatekeeper, using similar tactics to those she used Check out the singer and reality star strolling with her sorors below. Read moreClyburn-backed veteran organizer wins SC Democrats chair race, Its an over Read moreScoppe: SC public school backers lost the battle; without a reset, they'll lose the war, The back-and-forth between Haley and DeSantis could show howthe early stages of the Republican primary might unfold: With GOP contenders locked in a political battle royale to determine which candidate should emerge as the strongest challenger to Trump rather than taking on the frontrunner directly. McEldowney is a former ambassador to Bulgaria and has 30 years of service in various diplomatic and foreign affairs jobs. Matt McKenna, who was Bill Clintons spokesperson from 2007 to 2015, noted the historic nature of Harris candidacy and said Flournoy will skillfully manage competing demands for her time. Harris recently made her firstvisitas vice president to the U.S.-Mexico border, shetoutedPresident Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, and is expected to have aroleworking on criminal justice reform, among other items. Can the island keep it? Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has named Tina Flournoy, a veteran Democratic strategist and aide to the Clintons, as her chief of staff, the transition team announced Thursday. Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit, Personal Loans for 580 Credit Score or Lower, Personal Loans for 670 Credit Score or Lower. Copyright 2023 EBONY. A Division of NBCUniversal. The day's top national and international news. Band, who co-founded corporate consulting firm Teneo, is known for helping create Clinton's post-presidential life, including assisting in launching the foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative. She instead attended Texas Southern, where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta. Tina Flournoy is currently serving as chief of staff to Bill Clinton, but worked as assistant to the president for public policy at the American Federation of Teachers, She was replaced with Lorraine Voles, former senior advisor to Vice President Harris and communications director to Vice President Al Gore and then-Senator Hillary Clinton.[10]. Read moreUS Sen. Tim Scott teases 'major announcement' May 22 during Charleston town hall meeting, South Carolina's Democrats hoped that the election of a longtime party organizer as their new state party chair April 29 would bring a measure of unity and fresh direction to the party. She needed to make inroads in South Carolina an early primary state crucial to her chances of victory. Several people who say they were close to Clinton before Flournoy became his chief of staff in 2013 spoke to CNBC after a story published earlier this week described her management of access to Harris. Some of these same advisors and donors are trying other routes, including by attempting to speak with Douglas Emhoff, the vice president's husband. Flournoy joins Ashley Etienne as Harris' communications director and Symone Sanders as her chief spokeswoman.Flournoy has served as chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton since 2013. The article came to the conclusion that Flournoy, in an effort to screen and protect Harris, created a restrictive environment where decisions are prolonged and ideas are met with dismissals or ignored. Flournoy's resume is quite impressive. "Tina Flournoy ran my office for more than eight years, making it more efficient, effective, and transparent. As noted by The New York Times in 2015, Flournoy is a member of the "Colored Girls," described as "an informal group of five women who have risen to the top of Democratic politics." The current vice president, Mike Pence, has been in charge of the White Houses response to the coronavirus. "We see it as opening doors for so many. Moore, who didn't return a request for comment, was once named as one of the 100 most powerful women in Washington. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has named Tina Flournoy, a veteran Democratic strategist and aide to the Clintons, as her chief of staff, the transition team announced Thursday. "People would prepare a memo and she would have to see it first. While Flournoy was chief of staff, Clinton held an infamous tarmac meeting with then-Attorney General Loretta Lynchwhile his wife ran for president in the 2016 election. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. "I think Tina put some much needed structure and guardrails around that operation and I'm grateful for it," McKenna told CNBC on Wednesday. Flournoy has never held a position with Harris. Tina Flournoy is currently serving as chief of staff to Bill Clinton, but worked as assistant to the president for public policy at the American Federation of Teachers, which is a union that represents 1.7m members. While the organization'snonprofit status prevents the sorority from endorsing political candidates, Alpha Kappa Alpha has been outspokenly supportive of Harris victory. Former colleagues describe Flournoy as a no-nonsense operative who has both policy and political chops. Check out a photo of Flack with her sorors in 1965. She has also worked various roles within the Democratic Party such as senior adviser to Howard Dean, then Democratic National Convention Chairman, in 2005. Harris, in a statement, said Flournoys deep experience, public policy expertise and accomplished career in public service make her uniquely qualified for this important position. Flournoy has been a player in Democratic politics and policy since the early 1990s, with high-ranking jobs in the Clinton White House, the Democratic National Committee and the American Federation of Teachers, among other positions. She later returned to University of Massachusetts, where she majored in Child Psychology and minored in German. Bill Clinton called her appointment great news for our country.. The name dates back to 1988, during Michael Dukakis' presidential run. Other members of the Divine Nine Black fraternities and sororities have a total membership approaching 1 million across the nation. But Minyon Moore, another former Clinton aide and close friend of Flournoy, is assisting Harris with staffing during the transition. That didn't work. (CNN) -- Vice President Kamala Harris ' chief of staff, Tina Flournoy, is leaving her position this spring, a White House official told CNN Thursday. According to her online biography, she was the traveling chief of staff to 2000 vice presidential nominee Joseph Lieberman and finance director for then-Vice President Al Gores 2000 presidential campaign. Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server was being investigated at the time by the FBI, which is part of the Justice Department. Flournoy is the latest of top Harris aides to leave in recent months, including her senior adviser and spokesperson Symone Sanders, national security adviser Nancy McEldowney and communications director Ashley Etienne. The donor reached out to a fellow Democratic financier for Flournoy's contact information. Flournoy keeps a low profile and is rarely photographed, but she is a powerful force behind the scenes of Democratic politics and is currently serving as former As Tina Flournoy exerts her power as a gatekeeper to the vice president, several of Harris' allies outside the federal government are strugglingto get their calls returned. Why does all the blue crab at Walmart come from Louisiana? Doesn't always make you popular. While the Biden-Harris team has not officially confirmed the appointment, several outlets have reported the news, and Harris' bio at her alma mater, Georgetown University, has already updated her title. That glass ceiling in politics, she has put a crack in that.". It was a reference to the year Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded. WASHINGTON Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has chosen Tina Flournoy, a longtime aide to President Bill Clinton, to be her chief of staff, transition In the wake of Harris' victory, South Carolina's Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters are celebrating not only the win for one of their own, but also for Black and female representation on the geopolitical stage. There, she directed the work of the legislative, political, field and mobilization, and human rights and community outreach departments. "If you look from 2013 through about a year a half ago when Tina was here, you can't point to any single one of them being here [Clinton's orbit]. Since 1945, EBONY magazine has shined a spotlight on the worlds of Black people in America and worldwide. A spokeswoman for Harris did not answer questions seeking comment. #TheOriginalSquad pic.twitter.com/jMuZgqGa6j. But AKA led the charge, and it paid off.". Flournoy's style working for Harris is familiar to people who knew her while she worked for Clinton. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? According to CNN, Tina Flournoy has been chosen by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to be her chief of staff. On multiple occasions, people who worked under Flournoy in Clinton's office felt they were boxed out as she favored only certain ideas. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images. While the Biden-Harris team has not officially confirmed the appointment, several outlets have reported the news, and Harris' bio at her alma mater, Georgetown University, has already updated her title. pledged Delta Sigma Theta while attending Spelman College. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/vp-elect-kamala-harris-picks-tina-flournoy-to-be-her-chief-of-staff, Harris husband, Doug Emhoff, will leave private law practice by Inauguration Day, Read Vice President-elect Kamala Harris full victory speech, Bidens economic team faces unprecedented crises in shift from Trump. Chiefs of staff, especially those in the highest echelons of government, are expected to run a tight ship for their bosses, including by limiting who gets in the door for meetings or who reaches them on the phone. Thomas Novelly is a political reporter based in Charleston. "I'm not 100% sure, except I'm 100% sure, that you're editing a year-old story from the AssociatedPress' Little Rock bureau," he wrote. WebAs Tina Flournoy exerts her power as a gatekeeper to the vice president, several of Harris allies outside the federal government are struggling to get their calls returned. In the vice president's world, some allies can get in but theyguard their status so theydon't run afoul of Flournoy. SACRAMENTO, CALIF. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has named Tina Flournoy, a veteran Democratic strategist and aide to the Clintons, as her chief of staff, the transition team announced Thursday. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has reportedly chosen Tina Flournoy as her chief of staff, a source told CNN. "As for the below, I'm happy to pass along to the Bureau Chief in Little Rock.". Glenda Glover, the sorority's international president and CEO, has done countless interviews with national TV outlets since Harris' election and has publicly stated how much pride the Greek organization takes in her win. He is a fan of Southern rock, bourbon and horse racing. Read moreHouse Republicans pass US debt bill, push President Biden on spending, A South Carolina grand jury Tuesday charged convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh with two counts of tax evasion after prosecutors reviewed his final years of tax returns before he headed behind bars. Flournoy has served as chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton since 2013. Vice President Kamala Harris and her Chief of Staff Tina Flournoy clap as they watch the Senate vote to pass the American Rescue Plan Saturday, March 6, 2021, in her West Wing of the White House. Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian heritage, is the nations first female vice president. You have permission to edit this article. Biden has said he expects Harris to serve in a similar capacity as he did to President Obama, as a key voice in major policy decisions. She has led Clintons post-presidency office since 2013. She needs someone who can honor the historic nature of her candidacy and her victory and her place in the world, he said. Tina Flournoy attends a hearing in Washington in 2008. Her appearance wasn't a coincidence. You can't call up and yell at me.". He previously covered the White House and wrote for the papers national desk. Is Ella Mai pregnant? While Flournoy has made it tougher to get in touch with Harris, some of the vice president's supporters accept it as a consequence of Harris building out her portfolio. Thats a contrast to Biden, who has surrounded himself with advisors who have worked with him for decades. Flournoy has served as chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton since 2013. One person close to Harris said they appreciated what Flournoy is doing and has accepted that it's simply going to be harder to get in touch with Harris now that she is vice president and begins working on big-ticket initiatives. West Ashley residents give feedback on status of Piggly Wiggly redevelopment project. ", Flournoy is quite the force in the Democratic Party and she has been involved in prominent roles for decades. After graduating from Georgetown Law, Flournoy served as a clerk for Julia Cooper Mack of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. She's an extraordinary person, and I'm so fortunate and forever grateful to have had her as my chief of staff.". Flournoy, appearing not to know that the text was from an old AP article, then wrote back with edits for the story.