When Lon Johnson suddenly emerged in February to win
election as the Michigan Democratic Party, some thought his wife, Julianna
Smoot, the 2012 deputy campaign manager for President Obama, might emerge as the
power behind the throne.
election as the Michigan Democratic Party, some thought his wife, Julianna
Smoot, the 2012 deputy campaign manager for President Obama, might emerge as the
power behind the throne.
Not a chance. She’s way too busy.
In fact, for Smoot, it appears that the sky’s the limit
in her rapid rise within the Democratic Party.
in her rapid rise within the Democratic Party.
Politico reports that Smoot, considered a fundraiser
extraordinaire, has landed two key positions within the party apparatus: with
the new Organizing for Action nonprofit group led by former top Obama aides, and
with the Senate Majority PAC, the Democratic super PAC tied to Majority Leader
Harry Reid.
extraordinaire, has landed two key positions within the party apparatus: with
the new Organizing for Action nonprofit group led by former top Obama aides, and
with the Senate Majority PAC, the Democratic super PAC tied to Majority Leader
Harry Reid.
In addition to serving on the OFA board and Senate
Majority PACs board for outreach and fundraising, she is also contemplating the
formation of her own consulting firm.
Majority PACs board for outreach and fundraising, she is also contemplating the
formation of her own consulting firm.
In a story that was posted over
the weekend, Politico offered up some glowing tributes to Smoot as she
transitions into her two new jobs.
the weekend, Politico offered up some glowing tributes to Smoot as she
transitions into her two new jobs.
Penny Pritzker, who worked closely with Smoot in the early days of the
2008 Obama campaign and is now considered the front-runner to be Obama’s next Commerce Secretary nominee,
described Smoot as a “talent magnet” and an “incredible force.” “Julianna is an
accomplished manager, leader and effective team player. Her knowledge base is broad and deep which makes her
an asset to any organization with which she is involved,” Pritzker told
Politico.
2008 Obama campaign and is now considered the front-runner to be Obama’s next Commerce Secretary nominee,
described Smoot as a “talent magnet” and an “incredible force.” “Julianna is an
accomplished manager, leader and effective team player. Her knowledge base is broad and deep which makes her
an asset to any organization with which she is involved,” Pritzker told
Politico.
Jon Carson, executive director of OFA, said Smoot’s
network, which goes far beyond donors, will be invaluable to the new Democratic
group. Smoot was White House social secretary during Obama’s first term and “you
really need to think of Julianna as much more than a fundraiser,” Carson said,
describing Smoot as “a brilliant political mind.”
network, which goes far beyond donors, will be invaluable to the new Democratic
group. Smoot was White House social secretary during Obama’s first term and “you
really need to think of Julianna as much more than a fundraiser,” Carson said,
describing Smoot as “a brilliant political mind.”
And here’s how the Republican competition views Smoot. Charlie
Spies, co-founder of the pro-Mitt Romney super PAC Restore Our Future, who now
serves as senior adviser to Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC
dedicated to protecting the Republican majority in the House, said: “Smoot has a great track record and I’m
confident will be formidable at selling President Obama with her new
fundraising entities.”
Spies, co-founder of the pro-Mitt Romney super PAC Restore Our Future, who now
serves as senior adviser to Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC
dedicated to protecting the Republican majority in the House, said: “Smoot has a great track record and I’m
confident will be formidable at selling President Obama with her new
fundraising entities.”
