Political Adviser Leaves GOP Candidate's Campaign
With the Iowa caucuses less than 50 days away, one of GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's top political advisers is leaving to work for former President Donald Trump's campaign, according to multiple sources familiar with the move.
Brian Swensen, who served as Ramaswamy's national political director since the spring, confirmed to CBS News he is leaving and directed further questions about his future role to the Trump campaign.
"We love Brian," Tricia McLaughlin, Ramaswamy's communications director, told CBS News. "It's a good move for Brian and we're happy for him."
News of Swensen's departure comes at a critical time for Ramaswamy, who has failed to recapture the momentum he had over the summer.
Polls in Iowa and New Hampshire show the Ohio entrepreneur in the single digits, lagging far behind Trump. Ramaswamy has largely fallen out of the second tier of candidates, which now includes former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Senior Campaign Official to Absorb Departing Staff Member's Duties
Michael Biundo, a recently hired senior campaign official, will be taking on a larger role within the campaign, according to sources. The move comes as the current staff member, whose departure was not unexpected, plans to leave the campaign. The transition is said to be amicable.
It is unclear what the departing staff member's future role will be within the campaign, but they are known to be a close ally of a senior campaign adviser. The two have previously worked together on various political campaigns.
Sources have confirmed that Thursday will be the departing staff member's last day with the campaign. This news comes shortly after the campaign announced a relocation of its headquarters.
Despite recent polling numbers, the campaign has denied any loss of momentum.
