Bloomberg Poaches American Heart Association Staffer

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Everytown For Gun Safetown, Bloomberg’s umbrella organization for Moms Demand Action and Mayors Against Illegal Guns, as well as the research and PAC arm of his anti gun efforts, has recently poached one Sarah Higginbotham from the American Heart Association. Higginbotham had most recently served as the AHA’s “Oregon government relations director”, but has now taken on the role of “Regional Director of State Affairs” for Bloomberg.

An email that Higginbotham sent out to Oregon state legislators reads:

Today is my last day as the Oregon Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association.

I want to say how very much I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with you and your staff, and to thank you for your service and dedication.

In my absence, please feel free to contact Eric Batch, Vice President of Advocacy at (REDACTED).

In April, I’ll be starting as a Regional Director of State Affairs with Everytown for Gun Safety, based in NYC. It is certainly bittersweet as I think about leaving Oregon and the important work yet to be done to reduce death and disability from heart disease and stroke.

The AHA’s work in Oregon continues, and I encourage you to work with the new director when they are on board to protect Oregonian’s from tobacco; increase opportunities for physical activity and healthy food; and improve access to quality care for all Oregonians.

Luis Rodriguez, of the American Cancer Society, has replaced me as the Chair of the Oregon Partners for Tobacco Prevention coalition (OPTP). He can be reached at: (REDACTED).

The AHA is currently interviewing folks to take on the Government Relations Director role. The job is posted here.

Thank you again and best wishes,
Sarah

According to Higginbotham’s Linked In page, she has quite the resume, having worked as the state director for wackjob greenie organization Environment Oregon, lobbying firm State Street Solutions, campaign manager for anti gun democrat Dan Rayfield‘s senate campaign in 2010, and as a paid organizer on Obama’s campaign in 2007 and 2008.

In fact, she was apparently so vital to the Obama campaign that he announces her by name at a campaign stop in Corvallis, Oregon, back in 2008.

Here she is in a video from the Alliance For Democracy, complaining about plastic bags in her role with Environment Oregon:

And along with that one, here she is appearing next to a “bag monster”.

So in the constant revolving door of pay-for-policy, who knows what organization she and others will be working for next year, and who might step up to fill her shoes.

 

Thanks for sharing!