A pivotal shift in Vice President Kamala Harris's inner circle has emerged as questions surround the conspicuous absence of her younger sister Maya from the campaign spotlight.
According to Daily Mail, Kamala Harris has significantly reduced her sister Maya's visibility and involvement in her political campaigns following criticisms from family members who blamed Maya for the failure of Kamala's 2020 presidential campaign.
The 57-year-old Maya Harris, once dubbed Kamala's 'Bobby Kennedy' for their inseparable bond, was among the first to join the Vice President when President Joe Biden announced his decision to end his re-election campaign in July.
However, their celebrated partnership, which helped propel Kamala to positions as California's Attorney General and U.S. Senator, has taken a noticeable step back.
Maya's role as campaign chairperson during Kamala's unsuccessful 2020 presidential bid left lasting repercussions.
Democratic sources point to Maya's influence in pushing the campaign toward extreme progressive positions, including socialized medicine and decriminalization of illegal border crossings, which ultimately contributed to its premature end in December 2019.
The campaign's collapse before the Iowa caucuses sparked criticism from both party insiders and family members. While campaign manager Juan Rodriguez publicly shouldered the blame, reports indicated Maya's unchallenged influence and Kamala's reluctance to assert control contributed significantly to the campaign's downfall.
In an intriguing development, Maya's husband, Tony West, has emerged as a central figure in the current campaign structure. West, 59, has taken leave from his position as Uber's chief legal officer to focus on the campaign, becoming a regular presence on Air Force Two and serving as a crucial link to the business community.
CNN commentator and former South Carolina legislator Bakari Sellers noted:
The campaign leadership is a collaborative effort, but Tony West is probably the most guiding hand there. There's nothing that happens in the campaign that he's not part of.
Despite Maya's reduced public presence, her connection to the campaign continues through West's involvement. His background as a high-ranking official in President Barack Obama's Justice Department and current campaign role suggests a calculated restructuring of family influence within the campaign.
Maya's previous attempt to secure West a position as Biden's Attorney General proved unsuccessful, yet his current role demonstrates the family's ongoing influence in Harris's political trajectory. While West has indicated no interest in joining a potential Harris administration, Washington insiders speculate otherwise.
The transformation of Maya's role from campaign chairperson to a more discrete presence reflects lessons learned from the 2020 campaign failure. While maintaining family connections through West's advisory position, the campaign appears to have adopted a more measured approach to family involvement in official capacities.
Maya's previous statement about addressing her sister as "Miss President" only after winning the presidency underscores the complex balance between familial bonds and professional roles. The strategic repositioning of family influence while maintaining strong ties through West's involvement demonstrates the campaign's evolution in response to past challenges.
