Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has appointed an Obama loyalist and Democratic Party operative to replace Ryan O’Doherty as her chief spokesman and speechwriter.

Kevin R. Harris, 29, will become director of the Mayor’s Office of Policy and Communications on September 3.

Harris has served as a campaign spokesman for the Democratic National Committee (where Rawlings-Blake was recently appointed secretary) and as a political appointee in three federal agencies.

He got his start as a grassroots organizer during Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Following his boss’ election, Harris came to Washington and took jobs at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, White House Office of Legislative Affairs and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. He is currently communications director for Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.).

Has “Fond Memories” of Baltimore

In a press release today, Mayor Rawlings-Blake said, “Kevin will play an important role as we continue to look for new and better opportunities to keep our communities safe, provide economic opportunity for all and build more sustainable neighborhoods free of blight. Kevin has spent his entire adult life in public service, and I welcome him to our great city.”

In his prepared statement, Harris said, “I am truly humbled by this opportunity to serve the citizens of Baltimore under the leadership of Mayor Rawlings-Blake. I have fond memories of my time in Baltimore over the years, and I have the fondest respect for the character of the city and its citizens. Baltimore is a city that is on the move.”

During the 2012 campaign cycle, Harris oversaw messaging activities for the DNC in 15 states and also helped coordinate constituency press outreach, according to today’s release.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Harris received a B.A. in journalism from Howard University and an M.A. in government from Johns Hopkins University.