Washington (CNN) - The Obama administration Wednesday announced Eric Schultz as its pick for the new principal deputy press secretary.
Schultz will now be the number two White House spokesman behind the new Press Secretary, Josh Earnest.
Earnest, who began his role in June, previously held the position. Schultz will be responsible for filling in for Earnest behind the White House podium or holding off-camera briefings with reporters aboard Air Force One from time to time.
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Schultz is traveling with President Barack Obama on this week's three-day fundraising trip to the West Coast and will hold his first official "gaggle" with reporters in his new role this afternoon.
Schultz is known among the DC press corps for having an assertive style. Part of his portfolio has been dealing with some of the more difficult stories the White House has faced in recent years.
He also has a strong campaign background. He served as communications director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in the 2010 cycle, was national press secretary for John Edwards 2008 presidential campaign, helped run Al Franken's 2008 Senate campaign in Minnesota, and was a communications director for Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York.
The move, which was expected among the White House press corps, is part of larger regrouping as a number of aides in the White House press shop have been coming and going in recent days.
"Like other successful organizations, we're not rebuilding, we're reloading. The new members of our team are some of the brightest political communicators in the country," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said. "While each of them has already served the President with distinction in other roles, I'm confident they'll re-invigorate our White House team with the talent and professionalism that has been the hallmark of our operation for years and will be critical to our success as we tackle the important challenges ahead."
The White House also announced the addition of three members to the communications team. Jen Friedman, who joins the shop from the National Economic Council, will become a deputy press secretary. Frank Benenati, recently from the OMB, and Brandi Hoffine, from the Treasury Department, will both be assistant White House press secretaries.
Matt Lehrich, an assistant press secretary, will be leaving the White House soon. Dag Vega, the White House's director of broadcast media, also announced he's leaving the White House for the private sector next week.
CNN Senior White House Correspondent Jim Acosta contributed to this report
