Clinton loyalists gain power at super-PAC

A staff shakeup is underway at a prominent super-PAC that is supporting Hillary Clinton’s run for president.

Buffy Wicks, the executive director of Priorities USA Action, is stepping aside from the super-PAC for a “senior-level role on the coordinated side” of the Clinton campaign, which includes the national party apparatus, a Clinton official told Buzzfeed.

{mosads}Her departure comes as long-time Clintonite Guy Cecil joins the super-PAC as chief strategist. Cecil plans to replace Wicks with Anne Caprara, who is now the the vice president of campaigns at EMILY’s List.

Cecil and Caprara previously worked together at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, according to The New York Times. 

“Buffy has been a strong leader and smart strategist for Priorities and I have no doubt she will continue to be a valuable ally and supporter of Hillary Clinton,” Cecil said.

“Anne Caprara has led some of the toughest campaigns and was critical to the success of so many Senate races across the country. I have complete confidence in her leadership.”

The game of musical chairs also includes the return of David Brock, a Clinton loyalist who left the super-PAC in February in what many described as an internal power struggle over control of the group.

Brock is also the founder of the liberal Media Matters.

The staff moves ensconce Clinton loyalists in the leadership positions of Priorities USA, a group that was originally started to bolster President Obama’s reelection effort in 2012.

Former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina, who joined the group in early 2014, remains at the group as the top link between the Obama and Clinton worlds.

Senior Democrats framed the moves to Politico as Cecil and other Clinton loyalists boxing Messina out of power and influence within the organization. They added that Messina’s role is expected to shrink to include only fundraising.

Priorities is expected to be the top-grossing super PAC supporting the Clinton campaign.

Earlier this month, Correct the Record, a rapid response group housed under Brock’s American Bridge super PAC, announced it’s intentions to spin off from Bridge and effectively reestablish itself as a rapid response arm of the campaign.