Mary Beth Cahill is best known as one of the presidential campaign managers for John Kerry in 2004. | Braden Camp/AP Photo DNC hires Mary Beth Cahill as interim CEO

The Democratic National Committee has hired Mary Beth Cahill as its interim CEO, replacing — at least temporarily — Jess O’Connell, who stepped down in a surprise on Monday.

Cahill is best known as one of the presidential campaign managers for John Kerry in 2004. She was also an executive director of EMILY’s List and worked for a number of other top Democratic politicians, including the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.


“Democrats nationwide will benefit from her talents as we build on the energy and momentum from 2017 and work to elect Democrats in 2018 and beyond,” DNC Chairman Tom Perez wrote Thursday evening in an email that went to committee members.

In a DNC statement announcing her appointment, Cahill said: “As we search for someone to step into Jess’s shoes more permanently, I’m honored for the opportunity to work alongside Chairman Perez to make sure the DNC continues to win from the school board to the Oval Office.”

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A search for a permanent replacement is underway, but Perez has been closely guarding the names under consideration.

O’Connell’s departure shocked many on the DNC staff and led to significant questions among DNC members, Democratic operatives and beyond about what would have prompted the abrupt decision. DNC sources have said that the decision was personal, and one made now in order to retool as far ahead of the midterms as possible.

That hasn’t stopped the skepticism among many Democrats.

The turmoil comes as they undertake a massive effort to try to regain power in the House, the Senate, governors’ mansions and state legislatures across the country — despite fundraising that was half what the Republican National Committee raised in 2017, and that left it with $6.5 million cash on hand and $6.2 million in debt.

It also comes as the DNC itself continues to struggle with rebuilding its infrastructure and staff, as well as building up its data and research operations. O’Connell was heavily involved in both fundraising and leading the organization.

“Times of transition are never easy,” Perez wrote, before going on to praise O’Connell for her work at the DNC.

“She’s leaving this organization in far better shape than she found it, and the person who succeeds her will have big shoes to fill.”

