Senate Democrats’ campaign arm announces new executive director

The Senate Democrats’ campaign arm announced on Friday that Devan Barber will be serving as the executive director ahead of the 2026 election.

Barber has previously served as a senior advisor to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) for the last two election cycles. She’s also served as a political director and research director for the committee.

The DSCC also announced that Jessica Knight Henry would be serving as deputy executive director and chief diversity and inclusion officer while Andrew Piatt would be serving as director of campaigns and paid media strategy.

“Devan, Jessica and Andrew are among the most talented, smart and tenacious strategists I have ever met. They have shown time and again that they know how to win the toughest campaigns,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.

“This team will guide our Senate campaigns to success and ensure Democrats regain the Senate majority so we can deliver on the priorities that matter most to hardworking Americans.”

DSCC chair Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said in her own statement that she was “proud to have tapped some of our party’s most talented and successful operatives to guide our strategic efforts.”

The news comes as Senate Democrats are looking to gain ground in the upper chamber after they lost several crucial seats last cycle, sending them into the minority.

The 2026 election map is a tough one for the party given they’re defending several vulnerable incumbents, particularly Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.). There are a few opportunities for Democrats to grow their ranks, though, particularly in Maine with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) up for reelection and potentially in North Carolina with Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

“I look forward to working alongside Senator Gillibrand and an incredible team in supporting Senate Democrats’ campaigns,” Barber said in a statement.

“Our work at the DSCC will ensure Senate Democrats field the best candidates, implement the smartest, most cutting edge tactics, and run the strongest campaigns possible - and by bringing this approach to every battleground where we have an opportunity for success I am confident we will return Democrats to the Senate majority.”

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