Cedric Richmond, a former U.S. congressman who left his post representing New Orleans to join President Joe Biden’s administration, is leaving the White House after only 15 months in his role, according to reports Monday.
The New York Times reported that Richmond, a Democrat, is expected to step down from his position as director of the White House’s Office of Public Engagement, and is one of the first senior advisers to leave the administration.
Richmond next steps will reportedly include entering the private sector and advising the Democratic National Committee, according to the Times.
Richmond took the job when he was still serving as a U.S. Representative for Louisiana, an elected position he had held for 10 years.
Despite leaving his congressional role being “one of the hardest decisions” Richmond had to make in his career, he hoped the new role in the Biden administration would bring more help to Louisiana, according to the Advocate.
His departure from Congress led to an election for his empty seat between Troy Carter, a state Senator, and Karen Carter Peterson, a state Representative who recently resigned from her post. Carter won and filled the congressional seat last April.
