Hailsham named PA Dems executive director
Larry K. Hailsham Jr., a senior member of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration since 2023, has been appointed Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.
The announcement came on Wednesday by PA Dems Chair Eugene DePasquale as one of his first moves since his election to the position.
Hailsham replaces Mitch Kates as Executive Director. Kates will move to a new position as Director of Party Affairs and Advisor for Strategic Planning.
“Larry is stepping into this role and a critical time for our Party, for our Commonwealth, and for our country – and I know that with his leadership and alongside the team we are building, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party is going to meet this moment,” said DePasquale. “As Chairman, we got straight to work on day one – confronting the challenges we face and meeting the opportunities in front of us head on – and together, we are going to show up and win the trust and support of voters all across Pennsylvania in order to elect leaders that will deliver for them.”
The Pittsburgh native was an Executive Deputy Chief of Staff to Shapiro and previously served as political director for Shapiro’s 2022 gubernatorial campaign. The Allegheny College graduate also served in government affairs for the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and political director for Biden for President in 2020 before joining Shapiro’s team.
“I am honored to step into this role and continue working to build up our Party and elect Democrats up and down the ballot in order to keep Pennsylvania moving forward,” said Hailsham. “In this moment our Commonwealth and our country are facing, it is critically important that we show up, fight for our values, and win – and for us to do so, we need a Party that knows how to get the job done. I’m ready to serve alongside Governor Shapiro, Chairman DePasquale, Lieutenant Governor (Austin) Davis, and the entire Pennsylvania Democratic Party as we build the team and the operation we need to win.”
Shapiro was obviously pleased with the appointment, as the governor made a $250,000 donation to the Pennsylvania Democratic Party this week.
“Larry Hailsham is a true public servant who I have been fortunate to have as a key member of my team for years – and I know his track record of building winning teams, leading by example with hard work and fighting for our shared values. He will be a strong asset for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and Chairman DePasquale’s leadership,” said Shapiro. “With Larry at the helm as Executive Director, we will grow our Party and compete and win all across our Commonwealth. Larry will be a key part of our efforts to protect real freedom and get stuff done for the people of this Commonwealth.”
“We are hitting the ground running in this new era for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and the Governor’s support will go a long way towards building the infrastructure we need to win races up and down the ballot in 2025, 2026, and beyond.” said DePasquale.
Sen. John Fetterman also made a contribution of $100,000 to the party after DePasquale’s election.
This is not the first occurrence of the state’s governor installing a key deputy in an important role with the party. Sinceré Harris, now a top aide to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, was a political director for former Gov. Tom Wolf before ascending to the chair in 2015, while Kevin Washo, who served as executive director from 2010 to 2012, was an ally of former Gov. Ed Rendell.
Steve Ulrich is managing editor of Politics PA.
