The Search For A New White House Chief Florist Is Underway

Nearly five months after former chief florist Laura Dowling left her position amid rumors of style and personality clashes, the White House is still looking for someone to lead its small but busy floral shop. The search, according to sources close to some applicants, is in its middle stages, with potential finalists waiting patiently for a callback.

So far the East Wing hasn’t made any new personnel announcements, but one source said that the pool  — “a small beach” — has been winnowed down to 25 semi-finalists, including some repeat applicants who sought the job after long time chief florist Nancy Clarke left six years ago.

“I must say it was probably the most stressful thing I have ever done,” said Deborah Ritner, a floral designer from Seattle who was a finalist in the last florist search six years ago along with Renee Landry of North Carolina and Dowling, who would eventually land the top job.

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