Reuters
At least three individuals have withdrawn their names from consideration as Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s (D-MN) 2020 campaign head “in part” because of Klobuchar’s history of “mistreating her staff,” HuffPost reports. Former staffers told the website that the senator was “habitually demeaning and prone to bursts of cruelty,” often calling the staffers and their work “the worst.” E-mails berating staffers would reportedly have large groups of other workers cc’ed on them, reportedly adding to the humiliation. Three former staffers also claimed Klobuchar made her staffers schedule her “personal appointments, [wash] dishes at her home or [pick] up her dry cleaning.” According to congressional staff database Legistorm, Klobuchar has one of the highest staff turnover rates in Congress—and ranked number one from 2001 to 2006.
Other staffers who spoke to HuffPost stood by Klobuchar as a boss, and questioned whether the aides who complained were “falling for sexist stereotypes about female leaders with high standards.” A campaign spokesperson told the website Klobuchar “loves her staff” and was “proud of them and the work they have done for Minnesota.” The Minnesota Democrat is expected to make a “big announcement” about a potential 2020 presidential run this Sunday at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis.