HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Who is Jaime Harrison? Joe Biden taps Rep. Jim Clyburn's close friend to head Democratic National Committee

Harrison, a 44-year-old, ran against South Carolina Republican Sen Lindsey Graham in 2020. Even though the charismatic Harrison lost that race, he broke the fundraising records

President-Elect Joe Biden has selected South Carolinian, Jaime Harrison, to head the Democratic National Committee, a sign that the party's future is in what party operatives call the "New South" and with the emerging majority-minority of the party rank and file.

Harrison, a 44-year-old, ran against South Carolina Republican Sen Lindsey Graham in 2020. Even though the charismatic Harrison lost that race, he then broke fundraising records, collecting a stunning $57 million in the final quarter of his campaign, which was way more than the previous record set by Texas Democrat Beto O'Rourke in his 2018 campaign against GOP Sen Ted Cruz. He ran for the top national job in 2017 and lost to Tom Perez, who is now leaving the chairman job. Perez gave Harrison a senior role in the party and Harrison then became a national Democratic figure.

Harrison is a close friend of veteran Democratic Rep and House majority whip Jim Clyburn, whose support of Biden ahead of the South Carolina primary was crucial in securing Biden's primary there, a win that started his journey to the nomination. Biden won South Carolina and days later, Super Tuesday after, the highest-ranking African American Democrat in Congress, backed him. Biden's victory then set off a domino effect of support among Democratic voters in southern states and minorities. In the 14 primary contests, Biden won every southern state. Clyburn emerged as the ultimate powerbroker.

Born on February 5, 1976, Harrison started working for Clyburn as his director of floor operations while Clyburn was the Majority Whip of the United States House of Representatives. Harrison later served as a lobbyist for the Podesta Group. His clients at the Podesta Group included banks, such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo, Berkshire Hathaway, pharmaceutical companies, casinos, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, and Walmart, among others. In addition to lobbying work at Podesta Group, he has also lobbied on behalf of United Way Worldwide and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Harrison lives in Columbia, South Carolina with his wife Marie Boyd, a law professor and their two sons.

Biden also selected Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to be the DNC's next vice chair of civic engagement and voter protection, while Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Sen Tammy Duckworth and Texas Rep Filemon Vela Jr. are to serve as vice-chairs. “This group of individuals represent the very best of the Democratic Party,” Biden said in a statement. “Their stories and long histories of activism and work reflects our party’s values and the diversity that make us so strong."

Sharing the news on Twitter, Harrison wrote: "I’m humbled and excited that @JoeBiden has chosen me to lead @TheDemocrats. Together, we’ll organize everywhere, invest in state parties, expand the map, and elect Democrats who will be champions for the working people of this country."

As soon as the news made its way to social media, the opinions followed. One Internet user said: "Great choice! "Biden selects Jaime Harrison of South Carolina to lead the Democratic National Committee." While another one said, "Jaime Harrison is a great pick to lead the DNC. I personally never cared for Perez or Wasserman Schultz and don’t think either did much for the party. Harrison seems like a wise choice. #DNC" 

Praising him, one Internet user tweeted: "If you are not familiar with this amazing man Jaime Harrison he is a South Carolina hero! He is very much like VP Harris a true fighter for democracy equality and justice!" And one Internet user said: "Maybe...JUST maybe the DNC is staring to figure this politics thing out Jaime Harrison is an absolute awesome pick for that role!"

Another one wrote: "I had hoped for Stacey Abrams to be the DNC Chairwoman to duplicate the Georgia success story across the nation. But everyone has their own choice. We will support her. Jaime Harrison is a great choice for the DNC chairmanship nonetheless. Rise, New South." Slamming him, one said, "Joe Biden Picks Jaime Harrison to Head Democrat Party, He Supports Abortion on Demand"