May 27, 2018 - Politics & Policy

Former Obama officials are running for office in 2018

Haley Britzky

Former First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama. — Photo: Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images

At least 64 former Obama administration staffers are running for federal, state, or local office this year, NBC News reports.

The big picture: President Trump has set out to reverse much of what his predecessor did during his time in office — the Iran deal, the Paris climate accord, and the Affordable Care Act — which has spurred the groundswell of Obama alums. Ammar Campa-Najjar, a former White House staffer now running for a California House seat, told NBC: "A lot of us Obama babies were inspired by the president's call to action when he retired."

At least 28 of the former staffers are running for a House seat.
They work with the Obama Alumni Association, an organization run by former members of his administration, through which candidates can tap into the alumni network for fundraising and volunteers.

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Former Obama officials are running for office in 2018

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