DNC chairman Jaime Harrison reportedly considering early exit

The chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has reportedly considered an early exit as fears of a Republican resurgence in the midterms, which would leave him vulnerable amid poor approval ratings for President Biden. 

In an interview with NBC News, DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison pledged to fulfill his full four-year term, saying he “made a commitment to be president.”

However, Harrison is not flying to meet with donors or visiting DNC headquarters. Since taking his post a year ago, Harrison has largely stayed in his home state of South Carolina, according to people familiar with his schedule, as well as people who frequently see him around town.

One former DNC official said that Harrison has been “marginalized” because he’s “not out there fighting the fight.” 

“You don’t hear about him,” another former party official said. “You don’t hear about him. You don’t see him. There’s nothing there.” 

“​We have a lot of important work left to do, which is why we want Jaime out there more, not less, more television, more campaign rallies, more fundraising,” a Biden adviser said. “He’s an asset and we will need him out there for the work we have ahead.”

NBC News spoke with several current and former DNC officials, White House officials, fundraisers, donors and Democrats in touch with the White House, most of whom described a strained relationship between the White House and Harrison. The sources did acknowledge that “There’s blame to be shared.”

In the interview, Harrison urged his critics to end the gossiping and concentrate on political victory. “My hope is that people who have time to engage in the rumor mills and this and that would actually use that energy to register a few more voters,” he said.

“My focus is winning. It’s making sure that we keep the majorities in the House and the Senate. It’s not just for the Democratic Party to win, it’s because I’m legitimately scared, legitimately scared about where this country goes if we lose.”