Emmy Ruiz

Ruiz was born in Harlingen, Texas and raised in La Feria, Texas.[2] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English language and literature from the University of Texas at San Antonio.[3]

After graduating from college, Ruiz worked as a grant writer for the American Red Cross. After meeting Hillary Clinton at a Red Cross event in 2008, she applied to work as a field organizer in Las Vegas for the Hillary Clinton 2008 presidential campaign during the 2008 Nevada Democratic presidential caucuses. During her time with the Clinton campaign, Ruiz became associated with the "Mook Mafia," a group of campaign staffers led by Robby Mook.[4]

Ruiz was the Nevada general election director for the Barack Obama 2012 presidential campaign and managed Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign efforts in Nevada, Ohio, and Colorado.[5][6] In February 2019, Ruiz became a partner at NEWCO Strategies, a strategic consulting firm. On January 5, 2021, it was announced that Ruiz would serve as White House Director of Political Strategy and Outreach in the incoming Biden administration, succeeding Brian Jack, who was the White House Director of Political Affairs.[7][8]