Feb 19, 2019

Bernie Sanders taps ACLU political director as campaign manager

Sen. Bernie Sanders. Photo: Mandel Ngan/Getty Images

Sen. Bernie Sanders has enlisted ACLU national political director Faiz Shakir to serve as his 2020 campaign manager, reports The Daily Beast.

Why it matters: Shakir, who announced his departure from the ACLU Tuesday afternoon, has a progressive resume that includes stints as senior adviser to Democratic leaders Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. He also served as editor of ThinkProgress, the news outlet associated with the Center for American Progress. Shakir is presumed to be the first Muslim to manage a major presidential campaign, according to the Beast.

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Courtenay Brown

California's "woman quota" law seems to be working

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

When California passed its boardroom law requiring public companies based there to have at least one female director, there were concerns it would spark a gold rush for the same handful of well-known women — but that hasn’t happened.

Why it matters: Of the 138 women who joined all-male California boards last year, 62% are serving on their first company board, per a study by accounting firm KPMG. That means a majority of companies aren't contributing to so-called overboarding in corporate America.

Go deeper13 mins ago - Economy & Business

Axios

House warned of Russian effort to re-elect Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump meet at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, last June. Photo: Susan Walsh/AP

The nation's top election-security official warned the House Intelligence Committee last week that Russia is interfering in the 2020 election to help President Trump get re-elected, continuing to attempt to sow discord among the American electorate, the AP reports.

Why it matters: The warning raises questions about the integrity of the presidential campaign and whether Trump's administration is taking the proper steps to combat the kind of interference that the U.S. saw in 2016.

Go deeper43 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Rashaan Ayesh

U.S. and Taliban announce first step in Afghanistan peace process

Photo: Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images

The State Department confirmed Friday morning the U.S. and Taliban have "reached an understanding" that starts a 7-day "reduction of violence" to be followed by a signed U.S.-Taliban agreement.

Why it matters: The Afghanistan war is the longest war in U.S. history. President Trump has previously pulled out of talks at the last minute, only to restart them.

Go deeperUpdated 1 hour ago - World