For varying reasons, some Sestak staffers head for the exit

[Freddie Stubbs]

At least four staffers with significant political portfolios have left Congressman Joe Sestak’s (D-7) Senate campaign in recent weeks, potentially leaving the Democratic challenger at an organizational deficit just three months before the primary, pa2010.com has learned.

Some of the departures were at the higher levels. Political director Rich Culbert left the campaign shortly after the Democratic State Committee endorsement meeting earlier this month. Gary Ritterstein, who worked on the campaign’s press operations, took his exit last weekend. Others who left recently were more mid-level staffers. Jason Henry, who was effectively the campaign’s political director for western Pennsylvania, left in mid-January. Andrew Blum, who was an important cog in the campaign’s field and volunteer operations dating back to 2008, also left late last month.

The campaign is by no means hemorrhaging staff; even with the recent departures, there were more people on the payroll in the fourth quarter of 2009 than there were in the third quarter, according to campaign finance data. A significant field and communications operation remains in place—Sestak recently burned through 230 events in 26 days in 26 counties, a blitz that can’t be accomplished without organizers on the ground. He’s formally opening a Pittsburgh office this week. A visit to the campaign office in Media on a snowy evening Monday found about a dozen volunteers busily working the phones. And with three months to go, he has more than $5 million in campaign cash, remaining well positioned to chip away at Senator Arlen Specter’s lead in the polls once he starts advertising on TV.

But taken together, the recent staff departures bring back to the surface some skepticism of Sestak’s political organization, skepticism that is shared by both supporters and critics alike. In choosing not to hire an experienced statewide campaign manager, the Sestak campaign pointed to Culbert as an important senior-level staffer filling some of that role, making his departure particularly notable. It remains unclear if and when the campaign will replace Culbert. And the concerns emanating from some former rank-and-file campaign insiders illuminate simmering sentiments about the admittedly unorthodox campaign structure and, by some accounts, dissatisfaction with salaries that current and former staffers agree are far below what other campaigns pay their staffers.

more: http://www.pa2010.com/2010/02/for-varying-reasons-some-sestak-staffers-head-for-the-exit/?doing_wp_cron

[PADEMJES12]

1. Thanks for posting Freddie

One thing thats very concerning is how he runs through staff and
doesnt pay them a decent wage. Good for them quitting.