Katrina Pierson

Katrina Lanette Pierson (née Shaddix; born ) is an American activist and communications consultant. She was the national spokesperson for Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Early life and education

Pierson was born in Kansas to a white mother and a black father. Her mother gave birth to her at 15 and initially gave her up for adoption, but changed her mind. She grew up with her single mother, in poverty.

Pierson received an associate of science degree from Kilgore College. In 2006, she earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Career

Early work

Pierson worked for InVentiv Health in 2008; for the Baylor Health Care System from July 2009 to August 2011, as a practice administrator; for ASG Software Solutions from May 2011 to December 2012, as the director of corporate affairs; and then in a variety of jobs until being hired by the Trump campaign.

Early political work

Pierson voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. She became an activist in the Tea Party movement in 2009. Speaking in April 2009 at a Dallas Tea Party event, she called for Texas to secede from the U.S. She founded a local Tea Party group in Garland, Texas. In 2012, Pierson actively supported Ted Cruz in the 2012 Senate race in Texas and appeared on stage with him on election night in November.

2014 Texas congressional race

In the 2014 Texas congressional elections, Pierson challenged incumbent congressman Pete Sessions in the Republican primary to represent Texas' 32nd district and lost. Her candidacy was endorsed by Rafael Cruz and by Sarah Palin.

In the March primary, Pierson received 36 percent of the vote, losing to Sessions, who received 63 percent.

Pierson went on to become spokesperson for the Tea Party leadership fund.

Trump 2016

In January 2015, Pierson attended a meeting for Tea Party activists in Myrtle Beach with Ted Cruz. While in Myrtle Beach, she also met with Donald Trump. In November 2015 she was hired as the national spokesperson for Trump's campaign, subsequently appearing frequently on television in that capacity, often being seen as one of Trump's staunchest defenders amidst controversial comments.

Post-2016 election

After the 2016 election, Pierson turned down an administration position as Deputy Press Secretary, and instead worked at America First Policies, a pro-Trump 501(c)(4) group. In March 2018, the Trump 2020 campaign hired Pierson as a senior adviser.

Post-2020 election and January 6 attack

''The New York Times'' reported that Pierson served as a liaison between the White House and organizers at Donald Trump's "Save America" rally on the Ellipse, preceding the 2021 United States Capitol attack. This reporting was later corroborated by text messages obtained by CNN in 2022.

In 2021, Pierson publicly mulled running in the Texas's 6th congressional district special election to replace deceased U.S. Representative Ron Wright. She ultimately decided against a bid for the seat, but stated that she was "not closing the door" on a future run for Congress.

Pierson was one of eleven individuals subpoenaed on September 29, 2021 by the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack regarding their involvement in organizing the Stop the Steal rally that preceded the attack on the United States Capitol by Trump's supporters.

According to records obtained by CNN, Pierson texted White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on January 2 and 3, 2021, noting that " ings have gotten crazy and I desperately need some direction" before declaring "I'm done. I can't be a part of embarrassing POTUS any further."

Personal life

In 1997, at 20, Pierson was arrested for shoplifting, to which she pleaded no contest, received deferred adjudication, and, ultimately, a dismissal with the case sealed.

Pierson had a three-month marriage at a young age, during which she gave birth to a son. She and her son reside in Garland, Texas.

Notes

See also

* Black conservatism in the United States

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pierson, Katrina
Black conservatism in the United States
Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign
People associated with the 2016 United States presidential election
Candidates in the 2014 United States elections
African-American people in Texas politics
African-American women in politics
Tea Party movement activists
CNN people
American political commentators
Texas Republicans
1976 births
Living people
21st-century American women