David Simas
David Matos Simas[1][2] (born January 5, 1970)[2][1] is an American lawyer, former government official, and a former politician. He is the CEO of the Obama Foundation[3][4] and served in Barack Obama's administration as the White House Director of Political Affairs from 2014 to 2016.[5][6]
David Simas | |
|---|---|
Simas in 2021 | |
| White House Director of Political Affairs | |
| In office January 24, 2014 – December 19, 2016 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Patrick Gaspard (2011) |
| Succeeded by | Bill Stepien |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Matos Simas January 5, 1970 Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Shauna |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Stonehill College (BA) Boston College (JD) |
Early life and education
Simas was born and raised in Taunton, Massachusetts, the son of Portuguese American immigrant parents, Antonio and Deolinda Simas.[2] Simas lost two of her fingers in a faulty machine at the silver factory where she worked when Simas was a child. The Portuguese immigrant lawyer who worked on the case inspired Simas to become a lawyer.[4] He attended Coyle and Cassidy High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stonehill College.[2] He later earned a Juris Doctor from the Boston College Law School in 1995.[5]
Career
Simas began his political career working as an intern in Senator Edward M. Kennedy's office in 1989.[7] He was later elected to the Taunton School Board in 1993 and the Taunton City Council in 1997 and 1999.[7][8] He later served as president of the council and worked as an advisor to the mayor of Taunton.[8]
After leaving the city council he served as an assistant register of deeds for the Northern district office of the Bristol County Registry of Deeds.[9] He was later elected as the new Register of Deeds of the Northern district of Bristol County in 2004.[10] He won reelection in 2006 but later resigned to accept a position in Governor Deval Patrick's administration.[10]
He formerly served as deputy general counsel to the Massachusetts House of Representatives Post Audit and Oversight Bureau and practiced law with the law firm of Gay & Gay Associates, PC.[8][1]
He worked as deputy chief of staff to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick from 2007 until 2009. In 2009, he joined the Obama White House as a deputy assistant to the president, working under Senior Advisor David Axelrod.
He worked as director of opinion research for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign and then served as a liaison between the president and Democratic officials for two and a half years.[11]
Simas was appointed CEO of the Obama Foundation in December 2016.[3]
Personal life
Simas married his high school sweetheart, Shauna. They have two daughters and live in Hyde Park in Chicago.[2][4]
References
- ^ a b c Morton, Paradise, Kenneth G., Papalinka (December 2007). The Massachusetts Political Almanac 2007. Center For Leadership Studies. ISBN 9780926766341.
- ^ a b c d e Perl, Peter (Summer 2014). "Meet the unflappable, unrelentingly positive David Simas". BC Law School Magazine. Boston College Law School. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ^ a b Eilperin, Juliet (December 19, 2016). "White House political director David Simas joins Obama Foundation as CEO". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- Also available at:
- ^ a b c Bertagnoli, Lisa (May 3, 2018). "Meet the CEO of the Obama Foundation". Crain's Chicago Business. Crain Communications, Inc. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ^ a b Shear, Michael D. (March 1, 2014). "Obama's new political chief tries to reassure Democrats". The New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ^ Allen, Jonathan; Parnes, Amie (2017). ""I'm sorry"". Shattered: inside Hillary Clinton's doomed campaign. New York: Crown. ISBN 9780553447095.
- ^ a b American Journal, Portuguese (January 25, 2013). "Appointed: David Simas named Assistant to President Barack Obama – Washington, DC". Portuguese American Journal.
- ^ a b c Lowe, James F. (November 23, 2006). "Patrick picks 2 for team - Mayor, prof tapped". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Northampton, Massachusetts.
- ^
- ^ a b David M. Simas (D)
- ^ Dovere, Edward-Isaac (January 24, 2014). "W.H. to launch new political office". Politico. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
External links
- Letter from David Simas, CEO - The Obama Foundation