Joe Biden hires communications director with campaign chops

Vice President Joe Biden has picked his new communications director: Kate Bedingfield, a former spokeswoman for John Edwards’ 2008 campaign who recently served as the top film industry flack in Washington.

“She will be a key adviser to me, a terrific asset to our office, and an important member of the entire White House organization,” Biden said in a statement.


Biden’s former communications director Shailagh Murray left the veep’s office in March to work for President Barack Obama. Bedingfield’s first day is Monday, the White House said.

The hire comes as Biden weighs a presidential run, and while he has not made a decision, the vice president took the unusual step Saturday of returning from a vacation in Delaware to meet with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, whose endorsement is highly coveted among Democrats, at the Naval Observatory.

Bedingfield comes to the White House from the Motion Picture Association of America, where she ascended to the role of chief spokeswoman and vice president of corporate communications in May 2013.

She joined the MPAA in November 2011 from the White House, where she served as associate communications director and acting director of media affairs. She also worked as communications director for Jeanne Shaheen’s 2008 Senate campaign.