South Carolina’s Stephen Benjamin will replace Keisha Lance Bottoms in White House role

President Biden on Monday introduced Stephen Benjamin, former Columbia, S.C., mayor, will be a part of the administration as head of the Workplace of Public Engagement, changing former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Lance Bottoms joined the administration final June, and she or he steadily traveled again to Atlanta to be together with her household throughout her roughly 9 months on the job.

“Underneath Keisha’s management, the Workplace of Public Engagement has stored fairness on the coronary heart of our agenda, and continues to function the connective tissue between our Administration and on a regular basis People who might not have a voice to achieve Washington in any other case,” Biden stated in an announcement. “I’ve leaned on Keisha as a detailed advisor with distinctive instincts, and I’m grateful to her for serving our nation with honor and integrity. I want her one of the best as she returns house to Atlanta to be together with her household.”

Bottoms served one time period as mayor of Atlanta and gained prominence for her dealing with of the coronavirus pandemic within the metropolis earlier than opting to not run for reelection. She was floated as a possible working mate for Biden in 2020 earlier than he picked Vice President Harris.

Benjamin will take over as director of the Workplace of Public Engagement, which is tasked with informing the general public concerning the White Home’s agenda. He beforehand served as mayor of the capital of South Carolina from 2010-2021 and led the U.S. Convention of Mayors from 2018-2019. He’s additionally a former president of the African American Mayors Affiliation.

Bottoms is the most recent senior White Home official to depart the administration. Former chief of employees Ron Klain’s final day was earlier this month, and Brian Deese ended his tenure as the pinnacle of the Nationwide Financial Council. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh can be slated to go away the administration to take over as head of the NHL Gamers’ Affiliation subsequent month.