U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos has hired the first Latina executive director to head the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Lucinda Guinn grew up in El Paso, Texas, and was the political director of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and the vice president of campaigns at EMILY'S List, a pro-choice political group.
Bustos is a Moline Democrat and chairperson of the DCCC, the House Democrats' campaign arm. In July, Bustos cleaned house in the DCCC's leadership ranks as she came under fire from fellow Democrats for a diversity deficit and a perceived lack of Latino voter outreach efforts.
“Lucinda is a respected leader, manager and strategist with the right experience to help lead our efforts to expand our majority and push even further into Republican territory,” Bustos said in prepared remarks. “Lucinda demonstrated throughout this highly competitive, open and inclusive process that she was ready to step in on day one. I look forward to working closely with her as we continue to build a DCCC that reflects the values of the most diverse House Caucus in history.”
Thirteen candidates interviewed for the top job. A majority of the job candidates were people of color, and more than half were women.
Bustos was selected to chair the DCCC after winning large victories in a rural Illinois district that opted for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016. The district covers parts of Peoria, Pekin, the Quad Cities and Rockford.
At least two Republicans are vying for the chance to challenge Bustos for the 17th Congressional District seat the upcoming 2020 elections.
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