WASHINGTON, March 5, 2015 – A longtime aide to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Matt Paul, is leaving USDA to manage Hillary Clinton’s campaign in Iowa.

Paul, USDA’s director of communications and a former broadcast journalist, worked for Vilsack when he was governor of Iowa and was deputy state director for Howard Dean's presidential campaign in 2004 and was former Sen. Tom Harkin’s campaign manager in 2008.

In a statement, Vilsack described Paul as a close friend and adviser for 20 years.

“Matt believes in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government through clear and compelling communications, and he has proven that here at USDA by integrating and modernizing our outreach and branding, helping to build a stronger digital platform, prioritizing stakeholder engagement, and elevating the voices of American citizens and businesses in all that we do,” Vilsack said.

Vilsack campaigned for Mrs. Clinton in 2007 and 2008 after a brief candidacy of his own.

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