See below for a press release from the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA), referencing this article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch about the Biden campaign’s newly announced Virginia leadership team. It’s an excellent, highly competent group, led by Jake Rubenstein – a seasoned, top-notch communications professional who has worked at high levels in Virginia politics for years – plus Tyee Mallory (“who most recently served as a political adviser to the congressional campaign of Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th”) and Tonya James (“immediate past chair of the Prince William County Democratic Committee”) – working closely with new DPVA press secretary Kelsey Carolan. I’m looking forward to them helping President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris – plus Sen. Tim Kaine of course – not just win Virginia this November, but win by big margins, in part to send a message that Virginia is NOT Trump/right-wing-extremist country, as well as to help Democrats win VA02 back from the odious Rep. Jen Kiggans (R) and also hold VA07. Let’s do it!
Jake Rubenstein, a longtime aide to former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, will lead the re-election campaign for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Virginia, along with two other experienced state Democratic political officials.
Rubenstein, a Pittsburgh native with a long track record in Democratic politics in Virginia, will serve as state campaign manager for the Biden-Harris ticket. Tyee Mallory, who most recently served as a political adviser to the congressional campaign of Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, will serve as senior adviser and Tonya James, immediate past chair of the Prince William County Democratic Committee, will work as political and coalitions director. Virginia’s Super Tuesday primary might have messages for NovemberRubenstein, a Pittsburgh native with a long track record in Democratic politics in Virginia, will serve as state campaign manager for the Biden-Harris ticket. Tyee Mallory, who most recently served as a political adviser to the congressional campaign of Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, will serve as senior adviser and Tonya James, immediate past chair of the Prince William County Democratic Committee, will work as political and coalitions director.
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Rubenstein was chief of staff for McAuliffe’s campaign, after serving as an aide during the governor’s administration from 2014 to 2018. He also worked as communications director for then-House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn in 2020 before leaving the next year to work in McAuliffe’s campaign. After McAuliffe’s defeat, he worked for the former governor’s wife, Dorothy McAuliffe, who is special representative for global partnerships at the U.S. State Department. He also has worked as communications director at the Democratic Party of Virginia.
“Jake Rubenstein has been at my side for over a decade and he is the uber-caffeinated, highly organized ‘happy warrior’ that I know will ensure that the Biden for Virginia team leaves no stone unturned in delivering Virginia’s 13 electoral votes to the President and Vice-President,” McAuliffe said in a statement.
Mallory has worked in Virginia Democratic politics for 15 years, serving as deputy political director for the state party, political director for U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and regional director of his Senate office. She served as deputy campaign manager in McClellan’s unsuccessful campaign for Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2021 and as political adviser in her election last year to succeed the late Rep. Donald McEachin, D-4th.
James, a retired U.S. Marine, worked as state organizing director for the campaigns of Biden and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., in 2020. She also was part of Kaine’s re-election campaign in 2018 and the successful gubernatorial election campaign of Ralph Northam the previous year.
She also has served as chief of staff to state Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, and led the office of Prince William Supervisor Andrea Bailey, who is running for the party nomination in the 7th Congressional District this spring.
“By hiring this team, President Biden is showing his commitment to winning Virginia,” Kaine said Wednesday.
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