Beccera aide heads to DCCC

U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has a new point man at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Steve Haro, who handled press duties for U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Eagle Rock), has signed on as the committee’s Western Regional Political Director.

Haro will be tasked with coordinating the field, press, and policy operations in the committee’s efforts in the western states, including Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Hawaii, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and California.

Haro served as director of communications and legislation for Beccerra, whose seat resides in a heavily Hispanic area of Los Angeles. Haro will also assume the title of Hispanic Outreach Coordinator at the DCCC.

A DCCC spokesman confirmed the arrangement.

Haro’s hire signals that the committee is beefing up its staff in anticipation of this fall’s elections. Democrats are aiming to knock off a number of vulnerable Republican incumbents in the west, including Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) and Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.). Democrats are also optimistic about winning the seat of retiring Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.).

Fundraising reports released this week showed the DCCC with a nearly seven-to-one cash advantage over the National Republican Congressional Committee.