DCCC names new head after mass staff departure

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has chosen a new executive director after a summer shake-up that saw a mass staff departure over concerns about diversity.

Former EMILY’s List Executive Director Lucinda Guinn will serve in the campaign committee’s top position, the DCCC announced late Wednesday

DCCC Chairwoman Cheri Bustos (Ill.) announced Guinn’s selection to the role in a letter to members.{mosads}

“For those of you who don’t know Lucinda, she is a respected leader, manager and strategist with the right experience to help lead our efforts to protect and expand our majority and push even further into Republican territory,” Bustos wrote.

Politico first reported the hire.

Former DCCC Executive Director Allison Jaslow resigned at the end of July. Several other top staffers including a communications director Jared Smith, political director Molly Ritner, deputy executive director Nick Pancrazio, top communications aide Melissa Miller and the committee’s diversity director Van Ornelas followed by resigning later that evening. 

Guinn, who is Hispanic, was chosen after the DCCC reviewed 40 resumes and interviewed 13 candidates.

More than a dozen House Democrats advocated for Guinn during the DCCC’s search.

Guinn has been with EMILY’s List, an organization that supports Democratic female candidates, for more than five years. She serves as the organization’s vice president of campaigns.

— This report was updated on Sept. 12 at 5:48 a.m.