Hickenlooper’s Finance Director Jumps Ship To Join Beto’s Campaign

Multiple key staffers reportedly announced their departure from former Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper’s presidential campaign.

Three staffers are exiting Hickenlooper’s campaign, Politico reported. Dan Sorenson, the finance director, has left and moved to former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rouke‘s 2020 campaign, according to Lauren Hitt, Hickenlooper’s spokesperson.

Hitt also announced she will be “transitioning out” in upcoming weeks. Brad Komar, the campaign manager, also left.

“Brad Komar is no longer with the campaign,” Hitt said to Politico. “Neither is finance director Dan Sorenson. I will also be transitioning out over the next few weeks.”

Hickenlooper has already hired a new campaign manager, according to an announcement Monday evening. M.E. Smith, formerly a campaign manager for Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania in 2018 and deputy campaign manager for Hickenlooper’s reelection for governor in 2014, will be joining Hickenlooper’s campaign.

“M.E. has shown again and again that she knows how to lead successful campaigns in politically difficult terrain,” Hickenlooper said according to Politico. “With her extensive experience in political strategy, campaign management, and policy, I could not be more excited to have her leading the team.”

O’Rouke’s campaign expressed excitement in having Sorenson join the team.

“We’re thrilled to have Dan join our team to bring more supporters into this campaign and ensure Beto’s message of building a new kind of politics where no American is left behind can reach voters across the country,” Jen O’Malley Dillon, O’Rourke‘s campaign manager, said according to Politico.

Smith also gave a statement about her new role as campaign manager for Hickenlooper’s team.

“It’s been my privilege to work with Governor Hickenlooper closely over the years, and I’m honored to serve him in this new role,” Smith said in a statement. “I’m excited to be leading the talented team that’s working to make sure we have a Washington outsider, an experienced executive, and a pragmatic progressive in the White House.”

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Hickenlooper has called out Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for his socialism beliefs and warned that embracing these beliefs could “reelect the worst president” ever in America. Despite gaining media attention for this, he is sitting at around 1% as of a CNN poll Monday.

“If we don’t draw a clear line and say we’re not socialist, the Republicans are going to call us that and we run the risk of helping reelect the worst president, I would argue, in American history,” Hickenlooper said to CBS News on June 27.