Vice President Kamala Harris’ path to becoming the Democratic party’s presidential nominee and her campaign for the 2024 election has marked historic moments in political fundraising, and her brother-in-law’s close advising has reportedly played a significant role in this trajectory.
The New York Times reported that Tony West, who is the chief legal officer at Uber and Harris’ sister’s husband, was with the vice president in her residence when she received news of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, helping her reach out to top would-be supporters. Someone familiar with the matter said he peeled away at various points to call his own network of donors and business contacts, after which the two compared their notes.
West has since become a close advisor on Harris’ campaign, assisting with much of its record-setting fundraising. He is expected to remain involved in the final 92 days of the race, with Uber announcing Friday that he would soon take an unpaid leave of absence to focus of the White House run. West has previously held top positions in the Justice Department and corporate America while advising Harris’ campaigns since she ran for San Francisco attorney in 2003.
According to The Times’ same source, who requested anonymity to discuss internal dynamics, West has recommended bringing on Eric H. Holder Jr., the former attorney general, to handle the vetting process for Harris’ running mate. West has also helped shape Harris’ campaign team by supporting the elevation of her longtime pollster, the source said, and he has served as a crucial point of contact for business leaders and major donors, according to several people with knowledge of his role.
This was all done during a significant period for Uber, as shortly after Harris addressed the influential American Federation of Teachers union in Houston on July 25, the California Supreme Court issued a ruling that ensured Uber would not see its labor costs rise by hundreds of millions of dollars. The decision sparked backlash from some labor unions.
Yet, there is no direct evidence that West has shaped Harris’ position on any specific policy, as she actually supported efforts in California to classify gig workers as employees, which would have meant a considerable cost for Uber.
On Friday, Harris’ campaign brought on several senior political operatives, some of whom worked on former President Barack Obama’s campaigns, adding to the team that had been assembled to reelect Biden.
