PATRICK GASPARD NEW DNC DIRECTOR

Why He Matters


At a Glance


Current Position: Executive Director, Democratic National Committee (since January 2011)

Career History: White House Political Director (since January 2009); Service Employees International Union Local 1199 Political Director (1999 to 2007); National Field Director for America Coming Together (2004)

Hometown: Democratic Republic of Congo

President Barack Obama was drawn to Gaspard because of their similarities - both are community organizers with family roots in Africa.

At first, Gaspard demurred, but eventually he signed on, serving as Obama's political director in the White House. He was also the President's choice to lead the White House Office of Political Affairs. President Ronald Reagan established the office, and it has since been attacked for politicizing the presidency. Karl Rove was political director during George W. Bush’s first term and used his perch to substantially broaden the office’s portfolio.

But in January 2011, Gaspard moved to the Democratic National Committee as executive director under former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine as the White House political shop closed and the Obama 2012 campaign began to form in Chicago, headed by Jim Messina. Zeleny, Jeff, The New York Times, Obama Will Move Political Operations to Chicago, Jan. 21, 2011 (1)Zeleny, Jeff, The New York Times, Obama Will Move Political Operations to Chicago, Jan. 21, 2011

Gaspard is a community organizer who spent most of his career working with labor unions to organize protests and lobby for health care and education benefits. Until shortly before he joined Obama’s 2008 campaign as political director, Gaspard was a registered lobbyist for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). During the Democratic presidential primary, Gaspard used his labor ties to drive huge get-out-the-vote efforts in states with large union populations like Pennsylvania, Texas and Ohio.Darby, Seyward, “Getting to know Patrick Gaspard,” The New Republic online, Nov. 21, 2008(2)Darby, Seyward, “Getting to know Patrick Gaspard,” The New Republic online, Nov. 21, 2008

“Ex-Lobbyists have key Obama Roles; Some members of team shaping new administration had recent K Street ties,” The Washington Post, Nov. 15, 2008;