Susan Thomas worked for Howard Stackhouse on his 2002 presidential campaign.
She believed Stackhouse should call for federal funding of needle exchange in the five cities with the highest incidence of AIDS after Robert Ritchie sent them an advanced copy of his speech speaking out against the practice, but Amy Gardner said it was bait to force President Bartlet to respond. Susan accused Amy of "serving two masters" due to her personal relationships with the Bartlet Administration.
She participated in the conversation where prominent Democrats asked Stackhouse to drop out of the race. She asked C.J. Cregg if Stackhouse could speak with Bartlet, and Stackhouse finally told Bartlet he was dropping out.