President Joe Biden put an end to widespread speculation in April by officially declaring his candidacy for reelection alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. The frontrunner for the Republican Party at present is former President Donald Trump, potentially setting the stage for a repetition of the 2020 election.
To secure another victory, Biden will need to perform exceptionally well, considering the tight outcome of the previous election. In order to strengthen his campaign, he has enlisted prominent individuals to join his national advisory board. Nevertheless, there is a conspicuous absence of a particular Democrat within this new coalition.
Biden unveiled a video on May 9 showcasing the individuals comprising his advisory board for his reelection campaign. In the video, the president expressed that these individuals have come together to support him and assist in effectively disseminating his message nationwide.
The video featured prominent figures such as Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), who were rivals of President Biden during the 2020 primary. The advisory board consists of a total of 50 officials, with former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) assuming the role of chairwoman. It is reported that each member of the board will leverage their own networks of donors to rally support for the president. Additionally, they will actively engage with communities and voters, aiming to persuade them to reelect Biden.
We have a few new folks joining the team to help get our message out across the country. You’ll be hearing a lot more from them soon — let’s finish the job! pic.twitter.com/XXmIDsKkFv
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 10, 2023
According to Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for the campaign, the Democratic Party is fortunate to have an impressive lineup of passionate and persuasive leaders who are firmly standing by the current administration.
Despite the inclusion of officials from various parts of the country in the campaign advisory board, New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) was notably absent. It has been reported that the president’s team made the decision to remove the mayor as a national representative after he publicly criticized the White House for its shortcomings concerning the situation at the Southern border.
During a press conference in April, Mayor Adams expressed his belief that the Biden Administration had let down New York City in terms of immigration matters. He highlighted how Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) had transported numerous migrants to the city, which is a sanctuary city. Consequently, Adams reached out to the president, urging for resources to aid the newly arrived residents. The mayor asserted that the White House had not responded promptly enough to address the crisis, according to his assessment.
Both the campaign and the mayor have minimized the perceived conflict between them. According to a report from the New York Daily News, the Biden team released a statement on May 11 affirming that the president considers Mayor Adams as a friend and collaborator. The campaign further expressed Biden’s anticipation of collaborating with the mayor on matters affecting the city and their joint efforts to secure reelection.
In response, Adams addressed the press, stating that President Biden is someone he supports, referring to him as “my guy.” He mentioned being unaware of the campaign’s specific intentions or plans in relation to the situation.
