DCCC announces 2014 staff hires

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is out with its
top staff for the 2014 election cycle, promoting from within to fill a
number of key slots.

Hayley Dierker, who had been DCCC Chairman Steve Israel’s (N.Y.) chief of staff, will be the committee’s chief operating officer.

{mosads}Lila Rose, who’d been the deputy director of the DCCC’s independent expenditure program, will be its chief administrative officer.

New political director Brian Zuzenak, who will run the DCCC’s incumbent protection program, was a regional political director last cycle, while Jackie Forte-Mackay will stay on as the DCCC’s chief financial officer, marking her 10th election cycle in that position.

“Our new senior staff is a diverse team, and all have strong experience and a deep commitment to electing Democrats across the country,” said DCCC Executive Director Kelly Ward.

“They have the talent, drive and skill necessary to retire the Tea Party House Republicans once and for all.”

Those moves follow other internal promotions announced late last year.

Ward, who’d been the group’s political director in 2012, replaced Robby Mook.

Jesse Ferguson, who’d been the DCCC’s second in command for communications in 2012, is now running the press shop following the departure of Jennifer Crider, a longtime DCCC staffer and close ally of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Ferguson will also serve as the group’s deputy executive director.

One notable new hire: Incoming national press secretary Emily Bittner, who most recently served as communications director for Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).