As Tina Flournoy exerts her power as a gatekeeper to the vice president, several of Harris' allies outside the federal government are strugglingto get their calls returned. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. It was a women-of-color election, said Aimee Allison, founder and president of She the People, a group advocating for women of color in politics. Higher wind gusts possible.. Clear skies. Kamala Harris chief of staff Tina Flournoy blocked Bill While Flournoy was chief of staff, Clinton held an infamous tarmac meeting with then-Attorney General Loretta Lynchwhile his wife ran for president in the 2016 election. Some of these same advisors and donors are trying other routes, including by attempting to speak with Douglas Emhoff, the vice president's husband. Higher wind gusts possible.. Clear skies. Flournoy's tight approach, which includes blocking longtime allies from contacting Harris, has led to both praise and criticism. Protect the boss' time," Jennifer Palmieri, who used to work in President Barack Obama's White House and later Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, tweeted. Got a confidential news tip? Harris has not been returning phone calls to people who have considered themselves members of her inner circle, including donors and people who supported her Senate and White House runs, according to some of the people with knowledge of the situation. Flournoy credits her incredible success to her parents. She was replaced with Lorraine Voles, former senior advisor to Vice President Harris and communications director to Vice President Al Gore and then-Senator Hillary Clinton.[10]. McEldowney is a former ambassador to Bulgaria and has 30 years of service in various diplomatic and foreign affairs jobs. Past positions include leading Governor Howard Dean's Democratic National Committee transition team and serving as the traveling chief of staff to Senator Joseph Lieberman, the 2000 Democratic VP nominee.