Pivot to the general election: Clinton aides head to the DNC

The majority of Hillary Clinton’s campaign staff has transitioned immediately to the payroll at the Democratic National Committee, two sources familiar with the change tell The Hill.

{mosads}The move telegraphs that the general election has officially begun for Clinton, and that the DNC is shifting its focus to November even as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) continues to compete in the Democratic Primary.

“The DNC is becoming Hillary for America, essentially,” one source familiar with the change said.

Sources familiar with the transition, a common practice in general election cycles, say the move will ensure that party building functions — including field, data and political operations — in states will be paid out of the DNC. The shift is meant to ensure that the money the Clinton campaign raises and spends can be used for such items as advertising and candidate travel.

“If it’s done right, it’s run as one seamless operation,” said one Democrat familiar with the move.

As part of the transition, Clinton can also assign staff to the DNC, and sources expect that some re-arranging of staffers will begin in the coming weeks.

“We continue to work with the DNC and Democratic coordinated campaign to mobilize voters to support Hillary Clinton and Democrats up and down the ballot,” said Josh Schwerin, a spokesman for the campaign. “Democrats will be unified in our efforts to defeat Donald Trump and elect progressive candidates at every level this November.” 

Updated at 9:35 p.m.