Bennet Campaign Press Release - Michael Bennet Announces South Carolina Staff and Plans First Trip to the State

DENVER—Bennet for America today announced two key South Carolina staff hires. Avery Martin will serve as South Carolina State Director, and John Kraljevich will serve as South Carolina Operations Director. Both are graduates of the South Carolina Democratic Party's James E. Clyburn Political Fellowship program. Martin and Kraljevich join a third member of the Bennet team with South Carolina ties: Senior Advisor Daniel Barash previously worked in the Palmetto State running a Charleston mayoral campaign in 2015 and overseeing Congressman Joe Cunningham's race on behalf of the DCCC in 2018.

Michael Bennet will make his first trip to South Carolina on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1. "Avery and John bring strong South Carolina roots and a wealth of experience to our team," said Bennet for America spokesperson Shannon Beckham. "We are so excited to have them on board to help make sure every South Carolinian gets to know Michael and about his fight to build opportunity for every American."

"Avery and John represent the best of South Carolina," said Clyburn Fellowship founder and current DNC Associate Chair Jaime Harrison. "This program has created a new generation of Democratic leaders and is operating as designed. We have over 20 people running for President and in South Carolina we have enough talent to work with them all. As a DNC Officer, I remain neutral in the Democratic Presidential Primary contest, however I applaud Senator Bennet's decision to hire our great Clyburn Fellows."

Avery Martin, a Greenville County native, will serve as the South Carolina State Director. Martin most recently served as the Director of the Laurens County Department of Social Services, where he worked to strengthen families and secure the safety of vulnerable adults. His passion for serving others has led to his involvement with organizations such as the Julie Valentine Center and the Children's Defense Fund, as well as serving on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club and homelessness nonprofit United Housing Connections. Martin received his B.A. in Child Advocacy and Leadership from the University of South Carolina Upstate. He was elected Chair of the second Clyburn Fellowship class in 2017.

John Kraljevich, of Fort Mill, will support Avery as South Carolina Operations Director. A veteran of several campaigns on the local and Congressional level, Kraljevich ran for South Carolina State House in 2018, outperforming any previous Democrat at any level in the high-growth suburbs of York County. A board member of the Fort Mill History Museum and active local volunteer, Kraljevich was elected Vice Chair of the second Clyburn Fellowship class in 2017.

The Clyburn Fellowship was founded by former South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison, with the support of Congressman Jim Clyburn, to "build the bench" of Democratic staffers, candidates, and activists throughout South Carolina. The Bennet campaign is the first in South Carolina history to be led by two graduates of the Clyburn Fellowship.