Josh Earnest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josh Earnest
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| 29th White House Press Secretary | |
| In office June 20, 2014 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Deputy | Eric Schultz |
| Preceded by | Jay Carney |
| Succeeded by | Sean Spicer |
| White House Deputy Press Secretary | |
| In office February 11, 2011 – June 20, 2014 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Leader | Jay Carney |
| Preceded by | Bill Burton |
| Succeeded by | Eric Schultz |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joshua Ryan Henry Earnest
January 22, 1975 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Natalie Wyeth
(m. 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Rice University (BA) |
Joshua Ryan Henry Earnest (born January 22, 1975) is an American political advisor. He is best known for being the White House Press Secretary for President Barack Obama. He held this important job from 2014 to 2017. As Press Secretary, his main role was to speak for the President and the White House to news reporters. He was the 29th person to hold this position. After leaving the White House, he started working for United Airlines.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Josh Earnest was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 22, 1975. His father, Donald H. Earnest, was a sports director, and his mother, Jeanne M. Earnest, was a psychologist. Josh went to a private school called The Barstow School because he received a special scholarship.
In 1997, he graduated from Rice University. He earned a degree in political science and policy studies. This means he studied how governments work and how to make good decisions for society. While at Rice, he was part of Sid Richardson College. He also helped organize the campus-wide "Beer Bike" race, which is a fun tradition at the university.
Career in Politics
Right after college, Josh Earnest started working in politics. He helped Lee P. Brown during his campaign to become mayor of Houston in 1997. Later, from 2002 to 2003, Earnest worked as an assistant for a U.S. congressman named Robert Marion Berry. Before that, he also helped with Michael Bloomberg's first campaign for mayor of New York City.
From 2003 to 2006, Earnest worked for the Democratic National Committee. This is a main group for the Democratic Party. He then became the communications director for Jim Davis during his campaign for governor of Florida in 2006. A communications director is in charge of how a campaign or organization talks to the public.
In December 2006, Earnest moved to Iowa. There, he became the national communications director for then-Iowa governor Tom Vilsack's campaign for president.
Working with Barack Obama
Josh Earnest joined Barack Obama's presidential campaign in March 2007. He started as Obama's communications director in Iowa. After Obama won the important Iowa caucus (the first big vote), Earnest continued to work as a top communications helper in other primary elections. These included South Carolina, Texas, and Pennsylvania. During the 2008 general election, he was the campaign's deputy communication director.
After Obama was elected president, Earnest moved to Washington, D.C.. He became the communications director for the group that planned the presidential inauguration. The inauguration is the ceremony where the new president officially takes office.
Earnest began working at the White House on January 21, 2009. He started as a deputy press secretary under Robert Gibbs. Later, he was promoted to principal deputy White House press secretary. He also served as chief of staff to Jay Carney, who was the Press Secretary at the time. Earnest sometimes filled in for Carney during press briefings. He was also the voice of "West Wing Week," an online video series from the White House that showed President Obama's weekly activities.
White House Press Secretary
On May 30, 2014, President Obama announced that Josh Earnest would become the new White House Press Secretary. He took over from Jay Carney. In April 2015, a survey of journalists voted him the most helpful press official in the Obama administration. They also called him the best White House press secretary.
He gave his last press briefing for the Obama administration on January 17, 2017. During this briefing, President Obama surprised Earnest by appearing and praising him for his many years of service.
After the White House
After leaving the White House in March 2017, Earnest worked as a political analyst and commentator. He appeared on NBC News and MSNBC.
In May 2018, Earnest started working for United Airlines. He became their Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer. His job involves managing how the airline communicates with the public. In September 2023, he was promoted to Executive Vice President of Communications and Advertising. He also helps an organization called Let America Vote. This group works to stop things that make it harder for people to vote.
Personal Life
In August 2012, Josh Earnest married Natalie Wyeth. Their wedding was held in Washington, D.C. Natalie is related to the famous illustrator N. C. Wyeth. She also used to work for the Treasury Department. Josh and Natalie have two children, a son and a daughter.
See also
In Spanish: Josh Earnest para niños
