Sweet: Patti Solis Doyle out as Clinton campaign manager. Chicago native, sister of Ald. Danny Solis.

ALEXANDRIA, VA.–Patti Solis Doyle, who rose from a staffer in Chicago’s City Hall to campaign manager for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential drive, stepped aside on Sunday as Clinton’s team confronts the reality that Barack Obama is in a position to beat the New York senator.

Doyle said in a statement that she will serve as a “senior adviser” and that Maggie Williams will be the campaign manager. Williams earlier took on an informal top role after Obama beat Clinton in Iowa. On Sunday, Williams, who served as chief of staff for Clinton when she was first lady.

Doyle is a Pilsen native and the sister of Ald. Danny Solis (25h), who started with Hillary Clinton during the 1992 presidential campaign, moving from Chicago to Little Rock, Ark.

Clinton said in a statement, “Patti Solis Doyle has done an extraordinary job in getting us to this point – within reach of the nomination – and I am enormously grateful for her friendship and her outstanding work. And, as Patti has said, this already has been the longest presidential campaign in history and one that has required enormous sacrifices of everyone and our families. I look forward to her continued advice in the months ahead. Patti and I have worked with Maggie Williams for more than a decade. I am lucky to have Maggie on board and I know she will lead our campaign with great skill towards the nomination.”

Statement from Hillary Clinton

Patti Solis Doyle has done an extraordinary job in getting us to this point – within reach of the nomination – and I am enormously grateful for her friendship and her outstanding work. And, as Patti has said, this already has been the longest presidential campaign in history and one that has required enormous sacrifices of everyone and our families. I look forward to her continued advice in the months ahead. Patti and I have worked with Maggie Williams for more than a decade. I am lucky to have Maggie on board and I know she will lead our campaign with great skill towards the nomination.

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Patti Solis Doyle sent the note below to campaign staff this afternoon:

Over a year ago Hillary launched her campaign for President.

Her announcement began a historic effort that has inspired millions and brought hundreds of thousands to their feet all across this nation.

I have been proud to manage this campaign, and prouder still to call Hillary my friend for more than sixteen years. I know that she will make a great President.

This has already been the longest Presidential campaign in the history of our nation, and one that has required enormous sacrifices from all of us and our families.

During the last month I have been working closely with my longtime friend, Maggie Williams.

This week Maggie will begin to assume the duties of campaign manager. I will serve as a senior adviser to Hillary and the campaign and travel with Hillary from time to time on the road. Maggie is a remarkable person and I am confident that she will do a fabulous job.

Although I will continue to see you all at headquarters, I would be remiss if I didnt thank each of you for your dedication, excellence, and passion over the last year.

You are the best campaign staff in the history of Presidential politics and I am grateful to each of you for your hard work and friendship.

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