Welcome to POLITICO’s West Wing Playbook, your guide to the people and power centers in the Biden administration. With help from Allie Bice. Send tips | Subscribe here| Email Alex | Email Max Beneath the public image of optimism and triumph that emanated from the Biden administration this week was a profound sense of grief among many. WILLIAM FAIRFAX, JR., a 24-year-old aide who worked for JOE BIDEN ’s primary campaign in South Carolina and then went on to work at FEMA and as a press assistant for Vice President KAMALA HARRIS, died unexpectedly of natural causes, his family announced last week. On Thursday, hundreds gathered at the Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Md., to celebrate and mourn him. It was a solemn affair though one filled with a little laughter, too. Letters were read from Joe and JILL BIDEN, BARACK and MICHELLE OBAMA, plus the vice president and her husband. Biden’s speechwriter VINAY REDDY spoke. So too, did Harris’ communications director JAMAL SIMMONS, former Harris press secretary SYMONE SANDERS, Biden’s South Carolina state director KENDALL CORLEY, and NIA PAGE, the special assistant to the White House director of public engagement. William’s cousin, former Virginia Lt. Gov. JUSTIN FAIRFAX, offered remarks. Dozens of current and former Biden administration aides sat in attendance. Fairfax’s death was a tragedy not just for how early in his life it came. Many Biden officials, particularly many Black officials in the administration, spoke of his irrepressible spark that warmed rooms and prompted smiles. “Dare to be different,” was the line at the top of the funeral program. Fairfax dubbed himself online as “Dope Urkel.” His friends remembered him as a terrible driver and laughed remembering how he once had his car towed while driving around a Biden surrogate in South Carolina because of unpaid parking tickets. He ate so much Chik-fil-A that his boss once warned he’d turn into a chicken. His passions included the pop superstar Adele, fantasy football, and Queen Elizabeth II. Beyond the fun quirks, however, friends and former colleagues described a true believer in his political causes — one of those idealistic young political aides who went into service for earnest reasons. He took the issues, but never himself, seriously, they said. As many people put it: he was one of the good ones. We asked a few of his former colleagues for remembrances. This is what they told us. VINCENT EVANS, executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus, who worked with William in the VP’s office and on the primary campaign: William had a genuinely good spirit in a city and industry — politics being the industry — that you don’t often see anymore. He came here wide-eyed and optimistic about the difference he could make. He was a true believer in the work he was doing. That’s what I want people to know. TREY BAKER, former senior advisor for public engagement at the White House and national director of African American engagement during the campaign: William was a presence in every room he was in. From my view, William lived life all accelerator, no brakes; was fearless; and was always willing to jump in and try his best. All qualities we should seek to emulate. Rest well young Nupe. You truly made your mark. PAIGE HILL, the former regional communication director at the White House and South Carolina communications director during the primary: He meant a lot to me and was such a bright light to so many people. I felt so proud to watch him blossom and grow from South Carolina to the admin. I always said if I get lucky, one day I’ll be working for him. CLARKE HUMPHREY, the former digital director of the White House Covid team: We weren't super super close but we ran in the same circles (there are only so many Black people in This Town) and would always be happy to see each other at birthdays and other events. He was really really kind, thoughtful, and sweet and will be sorely missed for sure. KAMAU MARSHALL, deputy assistant U.S. Trade Representative for media and public affairs, who worked with Fairfax during the primary: I called him an organic gentleman, which I don't use lightly. He was truly a prince and authentic in his mannerisms. He was like that from the first day I met him as an intern during the primary in South Carolina. He was indeed himself at all times. That’s not an easy thing to do in this space. I’m still in a sense of shock. It doesn’t feel real yet. William accomplished so much at 24, and most people haven't completed half of what he did at the young age of 24. A faithful young public servant who will be missed. His legacy will live on through many amazing people. KENDALL CORLEY, deputy chief of staff for external engagement at the Small Business Administration and the South Carolina state director for the Biden primary campaign: He said he was a nerd but he was a cool nerd which is how he was a dope Erkel. I will miss him screaming in the office and telling him to shut up [laughs]. The best was yet to come. But he gave his best every day and we are all grateful and have benefited from it. His passion. His demeanor. His dedication to underserved communities. The rest of us still here have that legacy to live up to.
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