DES MOINES (AP) — Veteran Iowa Democratic political operative Jackie Norris has been picked as Michelle Obama’s chief of staff, two sources familiar with the appointment said Thursday.

Norris was a senior adviser in Barack Obama’s campaign for Iowa’s precinct caucuses, and she was state director for his general election campaign in Iowa. Obama’s surprising win in the Jan. 3 caucuses gave him a jolt of momentum that propelled him to the Democratic nomination and eventually the White House.

Two Democrats confirmed Norris’ appointment on condition of anonymity because they didn’t want to pre-empt the announcement.

Norris is a veteran of multiple presidential campaigns in Iowa and is married to Iowa Utilities Board head John Norris.

She was political director for Vice President Al Gore’s Iowa caucus campaign in 2000 and played key roles in a number of state campaigns.

Norris was credited for helping to build a massive field operation in Iowa that registered thousands of new voters and led to a record turnout in the Jan. 3 caucuses.