Minyon Moore, a veteran Democratic strategist and political director for former President Bill Clinton, will lead the efforts to activate outside advocacy groups in support of the nominee. Ben LaBolt, a former spokesman for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and in the White House, will lead outside communications efforts.
The trio brings years of experience in Democratic politics and in operating in high-stakes environments, both critical components of Supreme Court confirmation teams put together by past administrations. Jones, who represented a deeply Republican state before his 2020 election loss, is seen as a former member with relationships on both sides of the aisle.
The three will report directly to White House counsel Dana Remus, who is playing a leading role inside the West Wing on the process, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and Ron Klain, Biden’s chief of staff who has played a central role in nine prior Supreme Court nominations from both inside and outside the government.
Biden has pledged to select his nominee, who will be a Black woman, this month. The White House, which quietly prepared for a potential Supreme Court opening throughout Biden’s first year, is already deeply engaged in laying the groundwork for Biden’s eventual nominee.
Biden hosted the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will oversee the nomination, in the Oval Office on Tuesday. He also spoke by phone with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican of Kentucky.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, arrived at the White House on Wednesday afternoon to meet with Biden on the issue as well.
