A senior adviser to President Biden is departing the White House to take on a top role advising a major Democratic super PAC ahead of November’s election.
Anita Dunn, who has been a member of Biden’s inner circle of aides since he took office, is leaving to work with Future Forward, a group that has committed to spending at least $300 million in support of Vice President Harris, the likely Democratic nominee after Biden ended his candidacy, a source familiar with her plans told The Hill.
“Four years ago, when I launched my campaign for the battle for the soul of our nation, I was grateful Anita Dunn was right there with me,” Biden said in a statement. “I’ve known Anita throughout my career. She’s served our nation through three Administrations and countless campaigns for candidates at every level.”
“She’s not only a key senior member of our team that helped us win a historic election in 2020 – she’s also been an invaluable part of our White House,” he added. “She’s tough and tested, and her experience and intellect have helped us deliver historic results for the American people.”
Dunn in a statement called it an “honor and privilege” to serve in the White House.
White House chief of staff Jeff Zients praised Dunn’s “insightful counsel, decisiveness, and unparalleled experience every single day. She has been critical to making this one of the most successful presidencies in modern American history.”
The Washington Post first reported on Dunn's impending departure.
Dunn and her husband, attorney Bob Bauer, have long been influential figures in Democratic politics. Dunn worked on the Obama campaign in 2008 and 2012, and she did a stint as White House communications director in the Obama administration.
Dunn joined the Biden White House in 2021 after working on his campaign. She briefly departed the administration to return to her consulting firm, only to come back to the White House as a senior adviser to the president.
Bauer, her husband, has been the president’s personal attorney. He represented Biden amid a special counsel investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents. Bauer also played the role of former President Trump in preparation for Biden’s June 27 debate with his GOP rival. Dunn also assisted with debate prep.
Biden’s performance in that debate set off calls from Democrats for him to step aside as the nominee, which he did earlier this month. Harris has quickly consolidated support among Democrats ahead of the party’s convention in Chicago beginning Aug. 19.
