The White House announced today that Kate Bedingfield is leaving her role as Communications Director and will be replaced by Ben LaBolt, a top Democratic communications professional. LaBolt is expected to bring “a wealth of experience in strategic communications, crisis management, and political strategy” to the role, and is the first openly gay White House communications director. Bedingfield has been a key figure in the White House’s communications strategy since the start of the Biden presidency, and LaBolt is expected to continue her work.