Jeff Weaver (political staffer)

Jeff Weaver
Personal details
Born 1966 (age 50–51)
St. Albans, Vermont, U.S.
Education Boston University
University of Vermont (BA)
Georgetown University (JD)

Jeffrey "Jeff" P. Weaver (born 1966)[1] was the campaign manager for the 2016 campaign of US Senator Bernie Sanders for President of the United States.[2][3][4] He formerly served as the campaign manager for Sanders' 2006 United States Senate election and as chief of staff in Sanders’ House and Senate offices.[5] In August 2016, Weaver was named president of Our Revolution, a political organization created by Sanders.

Education

Weaver graduated from Missisquoi Valley Union High School in Franklin County, Vermont, in 1983. He attended Boston University as an undergraduate ROTC candidate. He was arrested there on April 24, 1986, for disorderly conduct, along with 10 other students; they became known as the "BU Eleven." The group began building shanties on campus and tried to prevent university employees from tearing them down. During the incident several students, including Weaver, tried to prevent police from driving away. Some of the students were placed on probation and others suspended. Weaver received an honorable discharge from the Marines' Reserve Officers' Training Corps.[6] Also in 1986, Weaver and three other students sued the university for the right to hang banners outside their dormitories. Yosef Abramowitz and two other students had displayed signs promoting divestment of the university with companies doing business with South Africa. When Abramowitz's sign was taken down, Weaver hung an American flag and two signs, one a Marine recruiting poster and the other reading "In Solidarity With Yosef". The university claimed it had a policy against dormitory banner displays, but the students argued it was selectively enforced, violating the right to free speech. The courts ruled in the students' favor,[7] providing an immediate injunction against the students being forced to leave their dormitories, and also issuing a permanent injunction preventing the university from taking disciplinary action against the four for exercising their right of free speech.[8]

Weaver later graduated from the University of Vermont.[9]

Career

Weaver's first role as a campaign staffer was in 1986 when he worked for Bernie Sanders's gubernatorial campaign as an Independent. Weaver served as a driver for Sanders.[1][5]

In 1987, one year after his involvement with the Sanders gubernatorial campaign, Weaver launched a campaign of his own, running for St. Albans City Ward 4 alderman. He was 21 years old and known locally for his efforts to register new voters. In 1990, Weaver challenged incumbent St. Albans mayor Ron Firkey for his seat. Weaver ran as an Independent and lost with 40% of the vote. In conceding the race, he said, "People haven't seen the last of Jeff Weaver."[1][2]

Weaver was a staffer for Sanders' successful 1990 congressional race. Following the race, he worked as a legislative assistant, eventually working his way up to chief of staff. Weaver later managed Sanders' successful 2006 Senate campaign and served as chief of staff.[2]

In 2009, following his role as Sanders' Senate chief of staff, Weaver left the political scene to run a comics and gaming store, Victory Comics, in Falls Church, Virginia.[1][10][11]

In May 2015, after a break from politics, Weaver was appointed campaign manager for Sanders' presidential campaign.[2][12][13] The New York Times described Weaver as "a long-trusted adviser to Mr. Sanders, who has developed a reputation inside and outside his campaign as a hard-charging operative often willing to go further than the candidate himself."[14] In July 2016, after Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, Weaver promised "to help organize voters", but did not join her campaign staff.[15]

Our Revolution

In August 2016, Weaver was named the president of Our Revolution, a political organization created by Bernie Sanders.[16] In response to his appointment, eight of Our Revolution's 13 staff members resigned.[17] He was later succeeded by Nina Turner, former state senator of Ohio.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Elodie Reed (May 27, 2015). "Sanders kicks off campaign". St. Albans Messenger.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Tim Murphy. "Meet the Comic Book King Running Bernie Sanders' Campaign". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
  3. ↑ "Sanders Announces Campaign Management Team With Strong Vermont, Grassroots Experience - Bernie Sanders". Bernie Sanders.
  4. ↑ "Sanders names 2 aides to presidential campaign". Burlington Free Press. 15 May 2015.
  5. 1 2 Graham, Ruth. "Bernie Sanders 2016 campaign staff: The power players". Politico. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
  6. ↑ Students Sue BU In Free Speech Case Martha A Bridegam, The Harvard Crimson, Sept 27, 1986
  7. ↑ JUDGE RULES FOR STUDENTS WHO PUT BANNERS OUT DORMITORY WINDOWS Associated Press News Archive, Dec 2, 1986
  8. ↑ B.U. Loses Student Suit; Court Says Banners Stay The Harvard Crimson, Dec 4, 1986
  9. ↑ "MVU Hall of Fame/Alumni". Missisquoi Valley Union Middle & High School.
  10. ↑ "MAN ABOUT TOWN: For Men and Boys Only".
  11. ↑ "Sanders Picks Longtime Aides to Run Presidential Campaign". Seven Days.
  12. ↑ "Rutland Herald".
  13. ↑ "Statement by Jeff Weaver, Bernie Sanders 2016 Campaign Manager - Bernie Sanders". Bernie Sanders. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  14. ↑ "Top Bernie Sanders Aide Rankles Those In and Out of Campaign". The New York Times. 29 December 2015.
  15. ↑ "Sanders' top aide to help organize votes for Clinton".
  16. ↑ "Bernie Sanders’s New Political Group Is Met by Staff Revolt". The New York Times. 25 August 2016.
  17. ↑ http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/bernie-sanders-new-group-hits-major-trouble-launchpad-n636741
  18. ↑ "Turner replaces Weaver as Our Revolution president". Politico. 29 June 2017.
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