Brian Swensen, the national political director for Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, has resigned and joined former President Donald Trump’s team, Mr. Ramaswamy’s election campaign announced on Nov. 29.
Tricia McLaughlin, communications director for the 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur’s campaign, pointed out that Mr. Swensen’s departure has nothing to do with internal problems within the campaign, noting his decision had been “a long time in the making.”
“He was primarily based in New Hampshire, and about a month and a half ago Mike Biundo came on as a national senior adviser and has largely been absorbing Brian’s role, so this is not—does not come as a surprise to anyone,” Ms. McLaughlin told The Hill.
“I think that this is a positive move for everybody,” she added. “We love Brian, we wish the best for him.”
Mr. Biundo, a longtime political consultant and veteran of nine presidential campaigns, joined Mr. Ramaswamy’s team earlier this year.
In 2016, Mr. Biundo served the Trump campaign as a senior adviser. He also managed Rick Santorum’s 2012 presidential campaign as his national campaign manager before joining the campaign of presidential candidate Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) after Mr. Santorum officially ended his White House bid.
According to The Messenger, which first reported the story, Mr. Swensen will be working as an adviser alongside Trump campaign senior adviser Susie Wiles in the upper echelon of President Trump’s 2024 reelection bid.
Mr. Swensen will start to work on Dec. 1, and more details will be released soon, a Trump campaign adviser told the publication.
In 2010, Ms. Wiles and Mr. Swensen were also close allies when they worked together on Sen. Rick Scott’s (R-Fla.) run for governor.
A Trump aide said Mr. Swensen will aid the former commander-in-chief’s campaign in Nevada, which is an early state in the Republican nomination battle.
GOP Debate in Alabama
On Dec. 6, Republican presidential candidates are scheduled to face off in the fourth debate of their party’s 2024 nominating contest.
Mr. Ramaswamy has said that he’s qualified to participate in next week’s GOP primary debate, which will be held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Indian-American businessman is also scheduled to appear at a pre-debate reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Ross Bridge Hotel in Hoover.
“I am pleased to have Vivek Ramaswamy joining us as we kick-off debate week here in Alabama! This is a historic occasion for our state as we hold our first ever nationally televised presidential debate, and I am appreciative that one of our Party’s rising political figures will be headlining this reception for the Alabama Republican Party,” said Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.
“I look forward to giving the people [of] Alabama the chance to meet Mr. Ramaswamy and showcasing our amazing state to another presidential candidate,” he added
Mr. Ramaswamy, a wealthy businessman who brands himself as an “outsider,” is expected to appear in the fourth debate along with former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who qualified for the third GOP debate, announced earlier this month that he will end his bid for the 2024 presidential race, while former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is struggling to meet the polling threshold.
Unlike the previous debates, President Trump has no plans to counter-program by holding his own event, Trump’s co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita said.
Mr. Ramaswamy has around 5 percent support of likely Republican primary voters in national polls, more than 40 percentage points behind President Trump, the GOP front-runner in national polls.
Reuters contributed to this report.
