Current Position: Chief of staff to the White House chief of staff (January 2009)
Why He Matters
Sweeney is chief of staff to the chief of staff in the White House. He has worked with Rahm Emanuel since 2006, when he was political director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Sweeney is well connected. He got his start working for the Senate campaigns of New York Democrats Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, and he was a key player in the 2006 elections when the Democrats recaptured control of Congress, meaning he has the ear of 42 young Democrats who he helped elect. He was listed in 2008 as one of the Hill’s “Fabulous Fifty” staffers by Roll Call for his know-how, muscle and access.
In the White House, Sweeney handles most issues that involve work on the Hill with an emphasis on national issues and politics, but he is the point man for pretty much any issue that comes across Emanuel’s desk.
At a Glance
Current Position: Chief of staff to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel (since January 2009)
Career History: Staff director to the House Democratic Caucus (2007 to 2009); Political director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (2006); Chief of staff to Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) (2004 to 2006); Legislative assistant to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y) (2001 to 2004)
Birthday: N/A
Hometown: Garden City, N.Y.
Alma Mater: Loyola College
Spouse: N/A
Religion: N/A
DC Office: N/A
Email N/A
Web site
Path to Power
Sweeney grew up in Garden City, N.Y., and graduated from Loyola College in Baltimore, Md.
He got his start on Capitol Hill on big-time campaigns. He worked for Sen. Charles E. Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) first senatorial campaign in 1998 when he ousted incumbent Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (R-N.Y.) and then worked for Sen. Clinton during her first senatorial campaign in 2000.
Sweeney departed campaign mode and joined Clinton in her Capitol Hill office as a legislative assistant. In 2004, he left to become chief of staff for Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y). But when the opportunity to get back to campaigning arose, Sweeney took it, joining Rep. Rahm Emanuel’s staff as political director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in the 2006 elections, when Democrats retook control of the House.
That overwhelming victory earned Emanuel a promotion to House Democratic Caucus chairman, and Sweeney moved with him, taking a job as staff director for the caucus. His role as Emanuel’s top staffer was in part to assist young representatives looking for advice on topics from campaigns to policy. With 42 Democratic freshmen who needed to learn the ropes while making sure they didn’t lose their seats in 2008, Sweeney was a busy man.
When Emanuel was tapped by then-President-elect Barack Obama to serve as White House chief of staff after the 2008 election, Sweeney joined Emanuel in the White House as the former House Member’s chief aide. He and fellow Emanuel adviser Sarah Feinberg play interference for the busy Emanuel. Sweeney focuses on working with Congress and congressional politics, while Feinberg tends to is the communications and foreign policy expert.
The Issues
Working for the hyper-competitive Emanuel, it’s natural to assume that Sweeney matches his boss with enthusiasm and intensity. But colleagues describe Sweeney as even-keeled and mild-mannered, a perfect foil for Emanuel. “In a world of the highest of high tensions, amid screaming and carrying on, Sean Sweeney has the most even-tempered, even-keeled attitude I have seen," said John Lapp, who worked as executive director for the DCCC with Emanuel and Sweeney during the 2006 election cycle. "He's battle-tested, and is one of the best of the best."
Before joining the White House, Sweeney ran an office at the House Democratic Caucus that assisted freshmen Democrats, who are immediate targets for the opposition in the next election cycle. Any lawmaker could stop by Sweeney’s office and pick up pre-written press releases or get advice about how Congress works, such as how to introduce a bill.
In the White House, Sweeney continues to work with members of Congress. He is in charge of Congressional issues for Emanuel and is in charge of domestic policy issues in particular.
The Network
Sweeney works closest with White House Chief of Staff
Rahm Emanuel and Senior Adviser
Sarah Feinberg. But he has worked closely with many of the most powerful Democrats in Washington. In addition to his Hill work with Emanuel, he also served stints on the Senate campaigns of New York Democratic Sens.
Charles E. Schumer and
Hillary Rodham Clinton. Sweeney’s role as 2006 DCCC political director and 2007-2008 staff director for the House Democratic Caucus meant he worked with many freshman lawmakers with whom most Washingtonians are just getting acquainted.
