Harris hires famed admaker Margolis in boon to her campaign

Kamala Harris has hired Jim Margolis, one of the Democratic Party's most accomplished admakers, as her media adviser, two sources familiar with the move told POLITICO.

Margolis is a veteran of former President Barack Obama’s campaigns in 2008 and 2012, and served in a key role in Hillary Clinton’s White House bid in 2016. A partner at GMMB, the leading advertising and campaign firm, he spent years as a top adviser to Democratic senators, including former Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Plans to bring on Margolis have been in the works for weeks. He was spotted chatting with members of Harris' team at events with the senator in South Carolina.

The move comes as Harris begins delineating senior roles of her campaign, which raised more than $12 million in the first quarter, about half online. Margolis will work closely with Harris’ longtime consulting firm, SCRB, led by partners Averell “Ace” Smith, Sean Clegg, Juan Rodriguez and Laphonza Butler.

Smith, Clegg and Butler form a triumvirate of senior strategists. Clegg plays a central role in messaging, while Rodriguez is serving as Harris’ campaign manager, the same role he played on her 2016 Senate run in California.

Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine