Tim Canova is running to unseat Debbie Wasserman Schultz and has received the endorsement of Bernie Sanders. | Getty Sanders strategists exit Canova campaign against Wasserman Schultz

Less than two weeks after publicly signing on to help the campaign of ousted Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s challenger, Bernie Sanders’ top political and media strategists are no longer working for Tim Canova.

The abrupt change, confirmed to POLITICO by multiple people familiar with the move, means the Washington-based trio of Tad Devine, Mark Longabaugh, and Julian Mulvey — who steered Sanders’ much-heralded ads during his primary bid — have exited the south Florida race that increasingly appears to be going Wasserman Schultz’s way.


National attention has increased on the primary fight ever since Wasserman Schultz stepped down from her party role last month following the release of a hacked trove of emails suggesting DNC officials worked to support Hillary Clinton over Sanders.

With Clinton appearing in Miami on Tuesday, Sanders sent his backers an email encouraging them to donate to Canova, the little-known professor. Just hours later, Clinton paid a surprise visit to a Wasserman Schultz’s field office, appearing next to her and praising the congresswoman.