Davis Hires Karin Johanson as Campaign Manager

After a nationwide search, Sen. Wendy Davis will tap veteran Democratic strategist Karin Johanson to run her race for Texas governor, her campaign announced Sunday.

Johanson managed Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s successful 2012 campaign in Wisconsin and was executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee when her party took control of the House in the 2006 mid-term elections.

“Karin has proven that she can win tough races. She has taken on and beaten a full arsenal of failed leadership, despite millions in negative ads,” said Davis spokesman Bo Delp. “Karin will be an excellent and outstanding addition to this historic and exciting campaign. We are honored that Karin will be joining us as we continue our fight to make the promise of Texas available to all families.”

Johanson is a former chief of staff and spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland and has been a consultant at the Dewey Square Group. In 2004 she was director of America Coming Together, a campaign turnout operation. She has also been a strategist for EMILY’s List, which is dedicated to electing Democratic women to office.

In 2006 The Washington Post described Johanson as “one of those people whose names you never hear, a political junkie who has been toiling in the backwaters of Democratic politics for more than 30 years — and one who is playing a huge role in the party's efforts to regain the House.”