Obama research head earns White House role

Simas (pictured), a former deputy chief of staff for Governor Deval Patrick, worked as a top aide to David Axelrod during the President’s 2012 re-election campaign, co-ordinating the campaign’s focus groups and polling operations.

The news comes as the White House announces a series of position changes, including a new chief of staff, Denis McDonough. Obama’s chief pollster, Joel Benenson is unaffected by the changes.