Katherine Joan Bedingfield[1] (born October 29, 1981)[2] is an American political advisor who served as the White House Communications Director in the Biden administration from 2021 to 2023. She previously served as deputy campaign manager for the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign and as communications director for Biden when he was vice president in the Obama administration.
Kate Bedingfield | |
|---|---|
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| White House Communications Director | |
| In office January 20, 2021 – March 1, 2023 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy | Kate Berner (Principal Deputy) |
| Preceded by | Stephanie Grisham |
| Succeeded by | Ben LaBolt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Katherine Joan Bedingfield October 29, 1981 Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
David Kieve (m. 2013) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Virginia (BA) |
Early life and education
editKate Bedingfield was born on October 29, 1981, and raised in Sandy Springs, Georgia.[3] Her parents are Dana H. and Sid E. Bedingfield. Her father is a journalism professor and a former CNN executive. Her mother is a social media consultant.[1] Bedingfield attended Sandy Springs Middle School and graduated from Riverwood High School.[3] She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia.[1]
Career
editCareer in politics
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Bedingfield worked on the John Edwards 2008 presidential campaign as spokesperson. She also served as communications director for the 2008 senate campaign for Jeanne Shaheen.[3] In 2015, Bedingfield was named communications director for then Vice President Joe Biden. She also held two additional roles in the Obama administration: director of response, and deputy director of media affairs.[4]
Bedingfield served as deputy campaign manager for the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign. Her work on the campaign led to Fortune naming Bedingfield one of the most influential people under the age of 40 in government and politics.[2]
Biden administration
editIn November 2020, Bedingfield was designated White House Communications Director for the Biden administration.[5] In late July 2022, Bedingfield reversed the decision announced weeks earlier to leave her position as White House Communications Director.[6]
In February 2023, Bedingfield announced that she would leave the administration at the end of the month.[7] Her position was filled by Ben LaBolt.[7]
Private sector
editIn November 2011, Bedingfield started working at the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). In May 2013, Bedingfield was named spokesperson and vice president of corporate communications at the MPAA.[3] After working in the Obama administration, Bedingfield returned briefly to sports and entertainment communications.[4]
Personal life
editBedingfield married David Kelley Kieve on January 12, 2013, at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C.[1] Bedingfield and Kieve have two children together.[2] Kieve currently serves as the President of the Environmental Defense Action Fund.[8]
External links
edit- Kate Bedingfield's profile from the Biden-Harris transition website
- Kate Bedingfield at IMDb
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Bill Barrow (March 26, 2020) "Meet the masterminds behind Biden's surge: women operatives" from the Christian Science Monitor
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Katherine Bedingfield and David Kieve". The New York Times. January 13, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Kate Bedingfield | 2020 40 under 40 in Government and Politics". Fortune. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Bluestein, Greg (April 25, 2019). "Joe Biden hires Atlanta native as his new spokeswoman". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ a b "Who Joe Biden is picking to fill his White House and Cabinet". Washington Post. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ "Biden chooses an all-female senior White House press team". Midland Daily News. Associated Press. November 29, 2020. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ "White House Communications Director, Set to Depart, Decides to Stay". The New York Times. July 29, 2022.
- ^ a b "Ben LaBolt to replace Kate Bedingfield as White House communications director". CBS News. February 10, 2023.
- ^ "David Kieve". Environmental Defense Action Fund. Retrieved February 13, 2023.