Habba, Jennings neck-and-neck as White House press secretary odds tighten

Alina Habba has emerged as the frontrunner to become White House press secretary on Kalshi, though traders have kept the market volatile with support for CNN commentator Scott Jennings.

Habba leads the market at 38%, followed by Jennings at 28% and White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly at 14%.

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Habba is an attorney who previously served as President Donald Trump's personal lawyer. She has also been one of the president's staunchest supporters, and reports indicate that she has met with Trump since former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt resigned.

The Daily Beast's Annabella Rosciglione reported that Habba is rumored to be in the running to take over the White House press secretary position. Habba was reportedly spotted at Trump's Bedminster golf club in New Jersey, where she was seated at a table near the president.

Habba also has experience being an unofficial spokesperson for President Trump during his campaign and presidency. Shortly after Leavitt announced her resignation, Habba posted on her X account that whoever “gets that podium next better come ready for a fight” and “they have big shoes to fill.”

She is also one of President Trump's unsuccessful nominees for the position of the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. The Senate never confirmed her nomination for the role and she resigned from the position after a "brief and chaotic tenure…plagued with legal trouble" that "eventually led to a federal appeals court ruling that her position was unlawful," Rosciglione wrote.

After Habba's resignation, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Habba would serve as senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys at the Justice Department.

Jennings is best known for appearing on CNN as a frequent defender of President Trump’s administration.

The Daily Beast's Ewan Palmer reported earlier this month that Jennings was the original frontrunner to replace Leavitt as White House press secretary, according to “sources with knowledge of the situation.”

Jennings already has a history of working in public relations for presidential administrations. He previously served under President George W. Bush as a special assistant to the president and deputy director of political affairs. He also worked as an adviser to Sen. Mitch McConnell for several of his re-election campaigns.

Trump has a history of selecting administration officials with high-profile television experience. Dr. Mehmet Oz serves as the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. He also appointed Fox Business commentator Larry Kudlow during his first term as an economic advisor.

Kelly currently serves as the White House principal deputy press secretary. Trump's team has also floated her name as a potential replacement for Leavitt.

She also worked as the national press secretary for the Republican National Committee, and Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin.  

Kalshi markets now predict:

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