DGA Announces Key New Hires To Leadership Team

Today, the Democratic Governors Association announced the hiring of an Independent Expenditure Director and National Press Secretary for the upcoming gubernatorial cycle. The DGA continues to grow its senior staff announced last year.
“I am excited to welcome Jessica Mackler and Jerusalem Demsas to the Democratic Governors Association. Both of them bring extensive knowledge that will set the DGA up for success this cycle,” said DGA Chair Gov. Phil Murphy. “Both of these hires will bolster the DGA’s efforts to grow the ranks of Democratic governors to improve the lives of working families.”  
“We’re thrilled to add Jessica and Jerusalem to our accomplished and talented team at the DGA for 2020,” said DGA Executive Director Noam Lee. “After winning in deep-red Louisiana and Kentucky, we are looking forward to building upon that success and to showing once again that we can elect Democratic Governors anywhere.” 
Below are bios for the new senior staff:
Independent Expenditure Director: Jessica Mackler
Jessica Mackler is one of the country’s top political strategists. She has run numerous top-tier federal campaigns and directed more than $100 million in spending by campaigns, advocacy organizations, and independent expenditures.
Politico Playbook named Jessica to its “Women to Watch Power List” in 2018, noting that “she has honed her political chops over a long career in Democratic politics.”
Jessica was critical to Democrats winning the House majority in 2018 with an historic pickup of 40 House seats. She served as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s first female Independent Expenditure Director. In this role, Jessica led a team of 38 and directed nearly $90 million in paid media spending across 59 congressional districts.
Jessica was previously the President of American Bridge 21st Century, the largest opposition research and rapid response organization in Democratic politics. Prior to joining American Bridge, Jessica spent nearly a decade working on campaigns across the country. She managed the 2012 Senate race in Nevada and served as a top adviser to U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu during her 2008 reelection campaign.
National Press Secretary: Jerusalem Demsas
Prior to joining the DGA, Jerusalem Demsas served as South Carolina Communications Director for U.S. Senator Kamala Harris’ bid for President. Demsas was Communications Director in Maryland for former NAACP President Ben Jealous’ gubernatorial campaign and worked in a variety of roles in the energy and environmental policy space.