Meet The Latina Behind Kamala Harris’ Campaign, Julie Chavez

Julie Chávez Rodríguez might not be a household name like her grandfather, César Chávez, but she’s become a significant figure in American politics, particularly as the campaign manager for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

Julie Chavéz Rodriguez to be named campaign manager for President Biden’s reelection campaign. The granddaughter of the great César Chavéz. We are the realization of our ancestors greatest dreams. @POTUS pic.twitter.com/ZuchLPsYEg

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) April 23, 2023

Growing Up with Activism in Her Blood

Julie was born into a family that lived and breathed activism. Her grandfather, César Chávez, is an icon in labor rights, particularly for his work organizing farmworkers in the United States. Her grandmother, Helen Fabela Chávez, and parents, Linda and Arturo, were also deeply involved in these movements.

So, from a very young age, Julie was surrounded by protests, rallies, and organizing efforts. It wasn’t just about attending these events—she participated. At just nine years old, she was arrested while distributing pamphlets during a protest about pesticide use.

That kind of early involvement sets the stage for a lifelong commitment to advocacy. It’s clear that the values of standing up for people, especially marginalized groups, were ingrained in her from the start.

Biden-Harris Campaign Manager, Julie Chávez Rodriguez, is the real deal

Her kindness, work ethic, strategic thinking and focus guarantee a win in November

Her grandfather, labor leader Cézar Chávez, would be proud she’s saving democracy https://t.co/FO0Bqa6xQo pic.twitter.com/Foqe7JObbr

— Qondi (@QondiNtini) April 1, 2024

Education and Early Career

Julie didn’t stray far from her roots in activism. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, earning a degree in Latin American Studies. During her college years, she spent summers organizing farmworkers, staying connected to her family’s mission through work with the United Farm Workers (UFW), the union her grandfather co-founded.

After college, Julie worked at the César Chávez Foundation as a program director. But her big political break came in 2008 when she volunteered for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Her work caught the attention of many, and after Obama’s victory, she was hired to work in his administration, dealing with youth employment and eventually working her way up to key roles in public engagement, focusing on Latino outreach.

Becoming a Key Player in Politics

Julie’s reputation as a hardworking and principled organizer grew during her time in the Obama administration. She was known for keeping a low profile, focusing on the work rather than the limelight.

Her portfolio expanded beyond Latino communities to include Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and more. This experience gave her a broad perspective on the many different groups that make up the U.S., and how to build meaningful, respectful connections with them.

When Kamala Harris ran for Senate in California, Julie was tapped to be her state director. And when Harris decided to run for president in 2020, Julie became a core part of her team, managing the campaign’s operations and outreach.

Latino voters we see you and are ready to win this together https://t.co/yoV89aOMfO

— Julie Chavez Rodriguez (@JulieR2022) September 27, 2024

Julie’s Role in the Biden and Harris Campaigns

After Harris dropped out of the 2020 presidential race, Julie joined Joe Biden’s team, overseeing Latino outreach. She was the highest-ranking Latina in his campaign and played a pivotal role in securing the Latino vote, a crucial demographic in many battleground states.

Once Biden won the election, Julie was brought into the White House as the director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, where she worked on building relationships with state, local, and tribal governments, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, she took on an even bigger role: managing Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign. This is a historic moment, as Julie is the first Latina to lead a presidential campaign for a sitting vice president.

Her role is essential, not just for the Harris campaign, but for the Democratic Party as a whole, as they look to engage and mobilize Latino voters across the country. This voting bloc is diverse and growing in political importance, and Julie’s leadership is key to making sure their voices are heard.

Balancing Legacy and Leadership

One of the things that makes Julie Chávez Rodríguez stand out is how she’s navigated her family legacy. Being the granddaughter of César Chávez comes with a lot of expectations, but Julie has been careful not to rely on her last name to move forward. In fact, many of her colleagues didn’t even know about her family ties until much later in her career. Instead, she’s earned respect for her work ethic, integrity, and deep understanding of the issues.

Her leadership style reflects the lessons she learned from her grandfather. She’s focused on hard work, empathy, and building bridges between different communities. One story that sums up her approach comes from when she was a child. After a tough encounter during a protest, where someone wished harm on her grandfather, she went to him for advice. His response was one of calm and understanding, teaching her to respond with kindness and patience, even in the face of hate. These lessons have shaped how she leads today.

Julie Chávez Rodríguez is part of a new generation of Latino leadership in American politics. Her journey from organizing farmworkers to running national campaigns reflects both her personal dedication and the evolving role of Latinos in U.S. politics. As she leads Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign, all eyes will be on how she navigates the challenges ahead. One thing is certain: she’s ready to put in the hard work, just like her grandfather taught her.