Cedric Richmond, a top aide to President Joe Biden, plans to resign to become a senior advisor with Democratic National Committee (DNC) next month.
NBC News reports Richmond, director of the office of public engagement, would be the highest-ranking Biden official to leave the White House since he took office.
“Richmond will travel the country to help the DNC team raise the additional resources we need to do even more and act as a national surrogate to help communicate our message on behalf of the Democratic National Committee, the president and vice president,” a White House official told NBC.
The Morehouse College and Tulane University graduate will take over several responsibilities from DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison.
“We look forward to having Cedric join our already strong team as we continue to work in close partnership with the White House, and our sister committees to protect and expand our Democratic majorities,” Harrison said in a statement. “There are few people more capable of helping us continue to build on our successes and deliver our message as we head into the midterm elections.”
According to multiple reports, Richmond has been considering an exit from the White House for several months as he wants to spend more time with his family in New Orleans and is looking to earn more than the $180,000 salary cap for White House employees.
Before joining the White House, Richmond was a U.S. Representative serving Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional district, he was also on the House and Ways Committee and has been very active as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Additionally, Richmond was one of Biden’s earliest supporters.
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) the House Majority Whip, who has served as a mentor to Richmond, called Richmond’s news post “an exciting and important move” ahead of November’s midterm elections.