Storch to do two jobs: state director for HRC’s prez campaign, head of state HDCC
This just in from the presidential campaign for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.:
State Rep. Rachel Storch, D-St. Louis, has been hired to be Clinton’s Missouri state director as her campaign gears up for the Feb. 5 primary.
âI’m delighted that Rachel will lead our efforts in Missouri,” Clinton said in a statement. âWith her help, we’ll take our message of change across the Show Me State.”
“Rachel is a highly respected legislator who brings a deep knowledge of Missouri and its people to this campaign,” said U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Kansas City, in a statement. “With Rachel’s hire, Hillary is making good on a promise she made to the people of Missouri: the senator will make the investments needed to compete and win here. Hillary wisely recognizes the importance of Missouri as a bellwether state and is putting down roots here that will bear fruit.”
Storch was first elected to the state in 2004, and currently is Deputy Whip of the Democratic Caucus. She serves on the Budget, Ways and Means, and Appropriations for Transportation and Economic Development Committees.
Prior to joining the Legislature, Storch was Deputy Chief of Staff for then-U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan and legal counsel and policy director for former state Sen. Ken Jacob, D-Columbia, during his stint as minority leader.
âI am proud to join this campaign, because America needs change, and Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to deliver it,” Storch said. âWe’re going to run an aggressive campaign throughout Missouri and I’m eager to get to work.”
UPDATE:
Storch says her commitment with Clinton is through the Feb. 5 primary. As a result, Storch plans to remain as head of the state House Democratic Campaign Committee.
Storch said she didn’t see a conflict, and noted that a number of other state legislators, including Jake Zimmermann and Mike Talboy, hold key posts with the HDCC and are actively involved.
Her role with the HDCC “enhances” her new job with Clinton, Storch said, adding that “we’re going to be working to coordinate resources” with whoever is the Democratic presidential nominee.
For example, Storch noted that Feb. 5 is also the date for three special elections for three state House seats — in St. Charles, St. Louis and Cape Girardeau.
Here, via the Columbia Tribune and Pubdef, is Storch’s Dec. 2 speech at Clinton’s fundraiser/rally at the Pageant.
Rachel is one of the smartest and most decent people I’ve met, in public life and elsewhere. I have so much respect for her that I volunteered for her first campaign, even though I disagree with almost everything she stands for. I simply believed, as I still do, that our state is made better when people of her caliber hold public office.
Having said this, I must confess that I wish Rachel nothing but total failure in this particular endeavor. My prediction: Clinton will win the Democratic primary in Missouri. How she does in the general depends upon how lousy a nominee the Republicans end up with.