Cruz for President
more recent edition > 

(page updated May 13, 2015)

announced March 23, 2015.
Headquarters: Houston, TX.
see also: pre-campaign organization  |  pro-Cruz super PACs.

Campaign Manager  Jeff Roe

(first reported on Aug. 28, 2014 by Washington Examiner's Dave Drucker as providing "organizational guidance and help run Cruz' more nationally focused operation")  Founder (2005) of Axiom Strategies, based in Kansas City, MO.  Has run dozens of campaigns, helping to elect 31 congressmen and 4 U.S. Senators.  A consultant to Gov. Rick Perry's 2011-12 presidential campaign.  Worked on voter ID on Mike Huckabee's 2008 campaign.  Started out working for then-state Rep. Sam Graves in 1994; held elect him to the state Senate and to Congress in 2000; served as Graves' chief of staff.  Graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville.  Served in the Army National Guard.  Native of Brookfield, MO.  twitter

Chief Strategist/General Consultant  Jason Johnson

(from Jan. 2011)  Owner of J2 Strategies in Austin from Sept. 2004 to present.  Key figure on Cruz's 2012 primary and general election campaigns.  Chief of staff to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, 2002-04.  Campaign manager on Abbott for Attorney General, 2002.  Communications director to state Sen. Todd Staples, 2000-01.  Camapign manager on Todd Staples for State Senate, 1999-2000.  Attended Texas A&M University.  twitter

Communications and Digital [consultant]  Jason Miller

(reported on Aug. 28, 2014 by Washington Examiner's Dave Drucker)  Partner and executive vice president at Jamestown Associates from Jan. 2010.  Executive at a communications firm.  Deputy director of communications in charge of rapid response and surrogate speakers on the Rudy Giuliani campaign from April 2007 to 2008.  Deputy chief of staff to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.  Campaign manager for Sanford's 2006 re-election campaign; he came to the Sanford campaign after serving as campaign manager for Sen. George Allen's 2006 re-election campaign through late 2005.  In 2003-04 Miller was campaign manager for Jack Ryan's U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois, and after that effort ended he worked on Tom Coburn's U.S. Senate campaign in Oklahoma.  Campaign manager on Ric Keller's successful 2000 campaign for Congress in Florida's 8th CD, then served as chief of staff to the Florida Congressman.  Worked for Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA).  Graduate of The George Washington University.  Native of Seattle, Washington.  twitter

Director of Rapid Response  Brian Phillips

(started as senior advisor March 14, 2015; reported by the Washington Times on March 9, 2015)  Communications director to U.S. Sen. Mike Lee from Feb. 2011.  Campaign manager on Sean Bielat for Congress.  Communications director on Poliquin for Governor, April 2009-June 2010.  Press secretary to U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce (NM), May 2007-Dec. 2008; communications director on People for Pearce, Oct. 2007-Nov. 2008.  Manager of media relations at the Tax Foundation, July 2006-May 2007.  Media associate at the Heritage Foundation, Jan. 2004-July 2006.  twitter

National Spokesperson  Rick Tyler

(started as senior communications advisor, reported Feb. 9, 2015 by the Houston Chronicle, +)  Principal at The Growth Factory from Jan. 2015; associate at the Strategy Group Commpany from May 2013.  Senior advisor to Winning Our Future, a pro-Gingrich super PAC, from late 2011.  Worked for Newt Gingrich from June 1999-June 2011.  Press secretary and spokesman on the first interation of Gingrich's presidential campaign through June. 2011.  Spokesman to Gingrich; founding director of Renewing American Leadership, a 501(c)(3) organization (Gingrich  honorary chairman).  Tyler was a candidate field trainer for GOPAC for 10 years.  Executive director of the Maine Republican Party, 1995-99.  Originally from Hampton, NH.  twitter

National Press Secretary  Catherine Frazier

(reported by the Texas Tribune's Abby Livingston on March 10, 2015; left as press secretary in the Senate office latter part of March 2015)  Press secretary in Cruz's Senate office from Jan. 2013-late March 2015.  Press secretary in the Office of Gov. Rick Perry, Feb. 2012-Jan. 2013.  Deputy communications director (March-Dec. 2010) and deputy press secretary (from Sept. 2009) at Texans for Rick Perry.  Senior writer, press assistant, and scheduler in the Office of Gov. Rick Perry from Jan. 2007.  B.S. in public relations and B.A. in government from University of Texas at Austin, 2006.  twitter

Digital Director  Josh Perry

(reported by the Texas Tribune's Patrick Svitek on March 18, 2015)  New media director in Cruz's Senate office from Jan. 2013.  Digital director for the Ted Cruz for Senate campaign from Jan. 2011.  Account executive at Harris Media, Oct. 2010-Jan. 2011. Field director for the Republican Party of Texas, Feb. 2009-Oct. 2010.  B.A. in political science and government from The University of Texas at Austin, 2010.  Native of Port Arthur, Texas.  twitter

Political Director  Dr. Mark P. Campbell

(March 2015)  President and CEO of Campbell Campaigns LLC since 1990; founded a corporate public relations firm in 1983 and began to take on campaigns starting in 1986.  Political director on Rudy Giuliani's 2007-08 presidential campaign.  Clients have included Bush-Quayle '88, American Medical Association Political Action Committee (AMPAC), the RNC, the NRCC, U.S. Senate and House campaigns, numerous GOP state committees, Bush-Cheney Florida recount, as well as state and local campaigns and pro-democracy campaigns abroad.  Senior vice president at Farleigh Dickinson University, 2000-04.  Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Director of Small Business under Gov. Dick Thornburgh (R-PA), 1985-86.  Staff assistant to Sen. John Tower (R-TX).  Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, 2004; M.P.A. from Southern Methodist University, 1982; B.A. degree from the University of Tennessee, 1981.

Regional Political Director (incl. NH)  David Sawyer

(March 2015)  Southeast Texas regional director for Sen. Cruz in his Senate office in Houston, Jan. 2013-March 2015; and strategic outreach director at the Jobs Growth & Freedom Fund, July 2014-March 2015.  Special assistant and travel aide to Cruz on his Senate campaign, Sept. 2012-Jan. 2013.  Worked on Ohio Victory, Aug.-Oct. 2012.  Deputy campaign manager on Texas state Rep. Jim Murphy's 2012 primary campaign, Feb.-June 2012.  Campaign manager on Mike Schofield for Texas House of Representatives, Oct. 2011-Feb. 2012.  Law clerk at Thompson and Reilly, P.C. in Houston, TX, Jan.-Oct. 2011.  J.D. from University of Houston Law Center, 2010; B.A. in history from The University of Texas at Austin, 2008.

Regional Political Director (incl. IA)  Jonathon McClellan

State outreach director in the Office of Sen. Ted Cruz, Jan. 2013-March 2014; outreach director at the Jobs Growth and Freedom Fund, July 2014-March 2015.  Political director on Ted Cruz for Senate, July 2011-Jan. 2013.  Chief of staff to Texas state Rep. Wayne Christiian, Dec. 2010-July 2011.  Central Texas field director on Texans for Rick Perry, June 2009-Dec. 2010.  Legislative director to state Rep. Christian, Dec. 2008-June 2009.  Field director on Dale Wainwright for Texas Supreme Court, May-Nov. 2008.  State field coordinator on Mike Huckabee for President, June-Aug. 2007.  B.A. in political science from Baylor University, 2008.  twitter

Policy Director  Austen Furse

Finance Director  Lauren Lofstrom

(reported on Aug. 28, 2014 by Washington Examiner's Dave Drucker)  Worked at the Republican Governors Association as recruitment director in the 2012 cycle and Governors Roundtable and Club membership director in the 2010 cycle.  Finance director for the Dino Rossi for Governor 2008 campaign.  Scheduling assistant to U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith from late 2006-Oct. 2007.  B.A. in communication and media studies from Washington State University, 2006.

Finance Director  Rachel Dawson

Finance director of Cruz's Jobs, Growth and Freedom Fund PAC and deputy finance director on Cruz's 2012 campaign for U.S. Senate.  Deputy director of events at the Republican Governors Association, July-Sept. 2011.  Finance assistant (April-Dec. 2010) and finance intern (Sept. 2009-March 2010) on Gov. Rick Perry’s 2010 re-election campaign.  B.S. in event management from University of Florida, 2009.  Originally from Orlando, FL.

Director of Research and Analytics  Chris Wilson

CEO at WPA Opinion Research from Sept. 1998.  Lives in Oklahoma City, and commutes to Washington most weeks.  Previously global director of research for Weber Shandwick International, 1998-2001.  Vice president at Fabrizio McLaughlin & Associates, Sept. 1995-Aug. 1998.  Executive director of the Republican Party of Texas, Oct. 1994-Sept. 1995.  Active on Pat Buchanan's 1992 campaign.  Graduate of the University of Oklahoma, 1991. twitter

Chris Perkins

Partner at WPA Opinion Research since March 2009 and runs the firm's Texas office.  Manager of the independent expenditure (IE) unit for the RNC, July 2006-Dec. 2008.  Executive director of Americans for a Republican Majority PAC, the leadership PAC of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Jan. 2001-June 2006; oversaw the 2003 Texas redistricting process for Republicans.  B.S. in political science and government from Abilene Christian University, 1999.

State Director  Bryan English

(first reported by the Houston Chronicle's Kevin Diaz as senior advisor on March 4, 2015)  Research analyst, May 2009-Feb. 2015.  Director of public relations and outreach at the Iowa Family Policy Center, June 2008-Oct. 2010.  Policy advisor to U.S. Rep. Steve King, June 2005-June 2008.  Campaign manager to Iowa state Rep. Mike May, June-Dec. 2004.  Associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Oct. 1998-June 2004; co-founder of Hot Rod Ministries, June 2002-04.  B.A. in fine art from University of Sioux Falls, 1992.  twitter

Leadership Team 

(announced April 29, 2015)
Chair  Matt Schultz

(announced April 29, 2015)  Elected Madison County attorney in Nov. 2014.  Candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress in the 3rd CD, finishing third in the June 2014 primary.  Elected Iowa Secretary of State in 2010, the youngest statewide official in the United States.  Partner at Coats, Schultz & Watson LLP.  Elected to the Council Bluffs City Council in 2005 and served for five years.  J.D. from Creighton Law School, 2006; B.A. in political science from University of Iowa, 2003; associates degree in behavioral sciences from Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2001.  Missionary in Argentina for two years after high school.  Grew up in Des Moines.  Resident of Truro (Madison County).  (+)

Co-Chairs
Marlin and Becky Bontrager, Kalona
State Sen. Jake Chapman, Adel
The Rev. Bradley Cranston, Burlington
Vicki Crawford, Granger
Pastor Mike Demastus, Des Moines
State Sen. Dennis Guth, Klemme
State Rep. Greg Heartsill, Melcher
State Rep. Steve Holt, Denison
James Knox, Cedar Rapids
Joel Kurtinitis, Perry
Kelsey Kurtinitis, Perry
Bill Salier, Nora Springs
Dick Schlitter, Onawa
Dorothy Schlitter, Onawa
State Sen. Jason Schultz, Schleswig
State Rep. Larry Sheets, Moulton
Councilman Mick Snieder, Orange City
Adam Steen, West Des Moines
Chad Steenhoek, Ames
John Wacker, Garner
State Rep. Ralph Watts, Adel
The Rev. Darran Whiting, Marion

Quad-City Times' Ed Tibbetts first reported this on the morning of April 29. 
Three were first reported by The New York Times' Trip Gabriel on March 24, 2015 as members of the Liberty movement:
State Sen. Jason Shultz (District 9, Schleswig) [Crawford Co.] >
Joel Kurtinitis of Perry [Dallas Co.] a regional director for Ron Paul in 2012 and former member of Republican Party of Iowa State Central Committee. >
Chad Steenhoek of Ames area [Story Co.], former member of Republican Party of Iowa State Central Committee. 1, 2

Leadership Team By County

APPANOOSE State Rep. Larry Sheets, Moulton CRAWFORD State Sen. Jason Schultz, Schleswig State Rep. Steve Holt, Denison DALLAS State Sen. Jake Chapman, Adel State Rep. Ralph Watts, Adel Joel Kurtinitis, Perry Kelsey Kurtinitis, Perry DES MOINES The Rev. Bradley Cranston, Burlington FLOYD Bill Salier, Nora Springs	HANCOCK State Sen. Dennis Guth, Klemme LINN James Knox, Cedar Rapids The Rev. Darran Whiting, Marion MADISON Matt Schultz, Truro MARION State Rep. Greg Heartsill, Melcher MONONA Dick Schlitter, Onawa Dorothy Schlitter, Onawa	POLK Pastor Mike Demastus, Des Moines SIOUX Councilman Mick Snieder, Orange City STORY Chad Steenhoek, Ames WASHINGTON Marlin and Becky Bontrager, Kalona ?POLK OR DALLAS? Vicki Crawford, Garner Adam Steen, West Des Moines John Wacker, Garner

State Director  Ethan Zorfas

(first reported by NHJournal's John DiStaso on March 24, 2015)  Principal at 603 Advisors LLC since Jan. 2013.  Extensive experience with U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, and also served as general consultant on Rep. Bill Cassidy's 2014 campaign for U.S. Senate in Louisiana.  For Guinta, Zorfas was senior advisor on his successful 2014 campaign for Congress; chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Guinta, Dec. 2010-Jan. 2013, and had top roles on Guinta's 2012 and 2010 campaigns.  Built a consulting business, The Zorfas Group, Dec. 2008-Dec. 2010.  Field finance at the NRCC, 2008.  Finance director on Ogonowski for Congress, 2007.  M.P.A. from Clark University, 2008; undergraduate degree from Clark, 2007.  twitter

Field Organizer  Zach Carrier

(reported  by WMUR's John DiStaso on April 24, 2015)  Seacoast regional field director for the NHGOP in 2014.  Graduate of Baylor University, 2012; president of the freshman class.

Leadership Team
(announced May 13, 2015, more than 40 people including 10 state reps.)
State Rep. and former NH House Speaker Bill OBrien

Elected to the House in 2004, represents Hillsborough 4.  Served as Speaker of the House, 2011-12 (elected Dec. 2010); unsucessfully sought the speakership in Dec. 2014.  COO of Brainloop, announced Sept. 2013, after providing them with legal consulting forr the previous six years.  Masters in intellectual property law from the University of New Hampshire School of LawJ.D. from Suffolk University Law School.  From Mont Vernon.

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Smith

Hosted a weekly radio show "The Tavern" on WEZS.  Candidate for the 2012 Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire, finishing with 22.6%, third behind Scott Brown and Jim Rubens.  Candidate for the 2012 Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Florida in 2010, but withdrew before the primary.  Candidate for U.S. Senate in Florida in 2004.  Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1990 and re-elected in 1996; lost 2002 Republican primary to John E. Sununu.  Candidate for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination (+).  After unsuccesful campaigns in 1980 and 1982, elected to the U.S. House in 1984 and served three terms.  Owned and managed Yankee Pedlar Real Estate in Wolfeboro, NH for 10 years. Two years active duty in the Navy, 1965-67.  B.A. in government from Lafayette College in Easton, PA, 1965.

Executive Councilor Dave Wheeler

Elected in Nov. 2014, after previously serving on the Executive Council from 2001-05, and 2011-13.  District 11 State Senator, 1992-98; and Milford State Representative, 1988-92.  Milford resident.  Owner of Maranatha Carpet and Miracle Acres Farm where he grows Christmas Trees and produces Maple Syrup.

Rep. Duane Brown, Wentworth
Rep. Carol Bush, Newington
Rep. Susan and Jerry DeLemus, Rochester
Rep. Jeff Harris, Epping
Rep. Eric Johnson, Campton
Rep. Josh Moore, Merrimack
Rep. Jeanine Notter, Merrimack
Rep. James Spillane, Deerfield
Rep. Len Turcotte, Barrington

Esther Brown, Amherst
Dana Chapman, Rochester
Lawrence Cheetham, Bedford
Robert Clivio, Raymond
former Rep. Jane Cormier, Hooksett
Terry Cox, Webster
Steven Goddu, Salem
Karen Goerndt, Brentwood
Steve Kenda, North Hampton
Warner Lund, Bedford
Sylvia Manley, Freedom
Terry McCarthy, Conway
Pat and Larry Miller, Merrimack
Donna Price, Exeter
Rich Riley, Portsmouth
Michael Roccio, Strafford
Sally Rosa, Newmarket
former Rep. David Scott, Dover
Craig Sheffert, Hampton
former Rep. Ken Sheffert, Hampton
Kevin Sleeper, Andover
Pam Smith, Manchester
Laura Spottiswood, Pelham
Steve Stefanik, Manchester
Paula and Joseph Tarta, Rye
Michelle Trant, Londonderry
Patrick Wetmore, Lebanon
Dean Whiteway, Hooksett
former Rep. Greg Salts, Manchester
Alan Rice, Bedford

State Director  LaDonna Ryggs

(first reported by the the Washington Examiner's David Drucker as senior advisor on March 17, 2015 +)  Based in Greer, Ryggs has worked as a communications consultant (Just Saying Communications) since Aug. 2014.  Managing editor of Palladian View, a digital outreach movement for Republican women, Sept. 2011-March 2014.  Chair of the Spartanburg County GOP, 2009-13.  Administrative assistant to the directors of publishing and marketing at Bob Jones University, June 1999-Sept. 2011.  B.S. in speech education (1986) and M.A. in platform arts (2003) from Bob Jones University.  Ryggs also served as president of the South Carolina Federation of Republican Women from Jan. 2006-Dec. 2007.  twitter

Leadership Team
(announced May 5, 2015)

State Senator Lee Bright, Co-Chair, Spartanburg
State Representative Bill Chumley, Co-Chair, Woodruff
Sheriff Ray Nash (Ret.), Co-Chair, Summerville

Paul Anderko, Rock Hill
Javan Browder, Greenville
Debbie and Stephen Brown, Greenville
Renee Cannon, North Charleston
Sandy Chiong, Lugoff
Lt. Col. Bill Connor, Afghanistan War Veteran, Orangeburg
Scott Cooper, Edgefield
Cheryl and Allen Cuthrell, Piedmont
Patsy and Vic Dabney, Camden
Kim Demer, Camden
Nse Ekpo, Irmo
Dr. Andrew Geer, Charleston
Reverend Mike Gonzalez, Columbia
Conway G. Ivy, Beaufort
Monica Kidd, Mt. Pleasant
Elizabeth and Jay Kilmartin, Columbia
K.C. and Cherie Lombard, Johns Island
Steven Long, Boiling Springs
Dr. Susan E. Moore, Charleston
Lou and Patrick Nolan, Columbia
Mark Palmer, Rock Hill
Mary L. Pearson, Summerville
Alan Ray, Chapin
Robert Ryggs, Greer
Jarred Spencer, Cowpens
Janet Spencer, North Myrtle Beach
Teri Sullivan, Aiken
DeeDee and Bauer Vaughters, Aiken
Lisa and Chip Watson, Spartanburg
Leah Whatley, Charleston
Michelle Wiles, Duncan/Pickens
Dr. Glen Robinson, Greenville

Leadership Team By County

AIKEN Teri Sullivan, Aiken DeeDee and Bauer Vaughters, Aiken BEAUFORT Conway G. Ivy, Beaufort CHARLESTON Renee Cannon, North Charleston Dr. Andrew Geer, Charleston Monica Kidd, Mt. Pleasant K.C. and Cherie Lombard, Johns Island Dr. Susan E. Moore, Charleston Leah Whatley, Charleston DORCHESTER Sheriff Ray Nash (Ret.), Co-Chair, Summerville Mary L. Pearson, Summerville EDGEFIELD Scott Cooper, Edgefield	GREENVILLE Javan Browder, Greenville Debbie and Stephen Brown, Greenville Dr. Glen Robinson, Greenville HORRY Janet Spencer, North Myrtle Beach KERSHAW Sandy Chiong, Lugoff Kim Demer, Camden LEXINGTON Alan Ray, Chapin ORANGEBURG Lt. Col. Bill Connor, Orangeburg	RICHLAND Reverend Mike Gonzalez, Columbia Elizabeth and Jay Kilmartin, Columbia Lou and Patrick Nolan, Columbia SPARTANBURG State Sen. Lee Bright, Co-Chair, Spartanburg State Rep. Bill Chumley, Co-Chair, Woodruff Steven Long, Boiling Springs Jarred Spencer, Cowpens Lisa and Chip Watson, Spartanburg Michelle Wiles, Duncan/Pickens YORK Paul Anderko, Rock Hill Mark Palmer, Rock Hill ?? Cheryl and Allen Cuthrell, Piedmont Nse Ekpo, Irmo Robert Ryggs, Greer

Chairman  Saul Anuzis

(announced May 11, 2015)  Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, 2005-09; candidate for RNC chairman in 2009 and 2011.  Managing partner of Coast to Coast Strategies, LLC since 2002.  Co-founder and co-owner of Quick Connect VOIP.   Chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Dick Posthumus, Chairman of the MI Senate Republican Campaign Committee.  Anuzis was among the very first to endorse Cruz, on Dec. 30, 2014.  twitter

Chairman  Ron Nehring

(announced May 11, 2015)  Partner/independent contractor for Frontline Strategies and Media since March 2011 (>).  Republican nominee for lieutenant governor of California in 2014 (>).  Chairman of the California Republican Party, 2007-11.  Chairman of the Republican Party  of San Diego County, for 5 1/2 years from July 2001.  Worked in Washington, DC.  Managed campaigns for Republican candidates in New York.  B.A. in political science from Stony Brook University, 1992; served as president of the campus College Republicans.  Born in Germany.  twitter

See:
Leslie Larson.  "Graphic designers say Ted Cruz's logo looks like a burning flag."  Business Insider, March 24, 2015.
Theodore Schleifer.  "Ted Cruz to announce presidential bid Monday."  Houston Chronicle, March 21, 2015.

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Other key people in Cruz-land
> Senate Office
www.cruz.senate.gov  |  SenatorTedCruz  |  @SenTedCruz

Chief of Staff  Paul Teller

(announced Sept. 10, 2014)  Previously deputy chief of staff (announced Jan. 13, 2014).  Worked at the Republican Study Committee (RSC) from Feb. 2001 to Dec. 2013, as legislative director, deputy director and director until he was fired by RSC chair U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise on Dec. 12, 2013.  A staff member for the Committee on House Administration under Rep. Bill Thomas, 2000-01.  Senior account executive at The Washington Times, national weekly edition, 1996-99.  Research associate at the National Center for Public Policy Research, summer 1996.  Advertising director at the College Republican National Committee, 1994-95.  Ph.D. in political science from American University, 1999; bachelor’s degree in political science from Duke University, 1993.

Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations  James Christoferson

(announced Sept. 10, 2014)  "Over ten years of senior legislative experience on Capitol Hill, including as deputy chief of staff and legislative director for former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).  Most recently, he served as clerk of the Senate Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS).  Christoferson also has extensive experience working in Texas state and local governments, including coordinating the economic development efforts for the Denton County Judge and serving as Texas’ Director of the Office of Defense Affairs, where he managed programs to assist communities adversely impacted by the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.  Christoferson holds a bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University."

Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy  Nick Muzin

(reported on Aug. 28, 2014 by Politico's Burgess Everett and John Bresnahan)  Announced in July 2014 as deputy chief of staff for strategy in the Senate office.  Director of coalitions for the House Republican Conference starting Jan. 2013.  Chief of staff and political director to then Congressman Tim Scott, Jan. 2011-Jan. 2013.  Corporate counsel at The InterTech Group, Jan. 2008-Dec. 2010.  Senior medical advisor on John McCain 2008.  Attorney at Williams & Connolly LLP, Sept. 2005-Jan. 2008.  Legal counsel at the Republican National Committee, Aug.-Nov. 2004.  J.D. from Yale Law School, 2005; M.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 2001; B.A. in biology from Yeshiva University, 1997.  twitter

Senior Advisor  Brooke Bacak

(announced July 7, 2014; previously legislative director from Jan. 2013)  Assistant dean at the University of Alabama School of Law.  Formerly served as U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) Senate Judiciary Committee chief counsel as well as on the staffs of Sens. Kyl and Sessions.  Law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law; bachelor’s degree from Auburn University.

Senior Policy Advisor  Sean Rushton

(senior policy advisor from April 2014; communications director from Jan. 2013)  Worked on the Cruz campaign as senior advisor for communications.  Director of corporate communications at Mission Essential Personnel, LLC, March 2009-Aug. 2012.  Communications director at the U.S. Small Business Administration, Dec. 2006-Jan. 2009.  Executive director of C. Boyden Gray’s Committee for Justice, 2003-06.  Media director at Citizens Against Government Waste, 2000-03.  Press secretary for U.S. Rep. Bill Archer (R-TX), 1998-2000.  Deputy press secretary for U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), 1996-98. B.S. in foreign service, international relations, law and organization (1995); and M.A. in liberal studies (2001) from Georgetown University.  twitter

Legislative Director  Jeff Murray

(announced July 7, 2014)  "Most recently served as Sen. Cruz's deputy legislative director, managing issues before the Senate Commerce Committee. He previously served as legislative counsel to Sen. Jim DeMint, R-SC, where he managed issues before the Senate Banking Committee. Prior to joining the Senate, he was director of legislative affairs for the Nickles Group and legislative counsel to Congressman Tom Feeney. Jeff received a bachelor's degree from Auburn University and a law degree from Samford University Cumberland School of Law."

Communications Director  Amanda Carpenter

(announced as communications director on Nov. 12, 2014; previously speechwriter and senior communications advisor from Jan. 2013)  Speechwriter and senior communications advisor to U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, Feb. 2010-Jan. 2013.  Columnist, reporter and blogger at The Washington Times, April 2009-Feb. 2010.  National political reporter at Townhall.com and Townhall magazine, Feb. 2008-April 2009.  Election blogger for Glamour magazine, 2008.  Congressional correspondent for Human Events, Aug. 2005-Feb. 2008.  B.A. in communications from Ball State University, 2005.  Native of Montrose, MI.  twitter

Deputy Press Secretary  Phil Novack

(announced Nov. 12, 2014)  "Most recently worked at Salesforce in San Francisco, where he led communications for the company’s public sector business and several of its fastest-growing apps. He previously led global communications for Mindjet and began his Silicon Valley career at Sparkpr. Novack served on the communications staff of 2006 Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos and began his political career working for former Michigan Gov. John Engler. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Princeton University and is a native of Warren, MI."  twitter

Deputy Digital Director  Jack Minor

(announced Nov. 12, 2014)  Most recently served as a digital associate at Heritage Action for America. He has also served as a digital and creative consultant to multiple congressional campaigns. Minor received bachelor's degrees in political science and broadcast journalism from Elon University and is a native of Conover, North Carolina.

Senior Economist and Director of Outreach  Max Pappas

(Jan. 2013)  Vice president of public policy and government affairs at FreedomWorks, May 2008-Dec. 2012.  Director of research at BGR Group (formerly Barbour Griffith & Rogers), 2006-08.  Policy analyst/director of policy at FreedomWorks, 2003-06.  Research assistant to P.J. O'Rourke; also did freelance writing, 2001-03.  Candidate for state representative in Massachusetts, April-Nov. 2002.  Research assistant at the Cato Institute, 1999-2000.  M.Sc. from London School of Economics and Political Science, 1999; B.A. in economics from the College of the Holy Cross, 1997.

Director of Scheduling  Dougie Simmons

(Jan. 2013)  Director of events at the RNC, Oct. 2011-Dec. 2012.  Scheduler to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Aug. 2009-Dec. 2011.  Associate at The Larrison Group, July 207-Oct. 2008.  Executive assistant to the Director of the National Economic Council at the White House, Feb. 2005-Aug. 2007.  Scheduler in the Office of Presidential Scheduling at the White House, May 2004-Feb. 2005.  Scheduler in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 2003-May 2004.  Staff assistant to Sen. Jeff Sessions, Jan.-Aprii 2003.  Graduate of the University of Alabama, 2002.

Administrative Director  Kimberly Levernier

(started in Nov. 2012)  Administrative director to Sen. Ron Johnson, Jan. 2011-Nov. 2012.  Administrative director (2006-Jan. 2011) and scheduler (2005-06) for Sen. Jim Bunning.  North American events manager at Alltech, 2002-05.  Graduate of Centre College, 2002.

Chief Counsel  Scott Keller

(Jan. 2013)  Associate at Yetter Coleman LLP, Nov. 2010-Jan. 2013.  Judicial clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, July 2009-July 2010.  Fellow in the Office of the Soliciter General at the U.S. Department of Justice, 2008-09.  Judicial clerk for Chief Judge Alex Kozinski at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2007-08.  J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, 2007; B.A. in political science and philosophy from Purdue University, 2004.

Former:

State Director  John Drogin   ...executive director of Make DC Listen PAC from April 2015

(Jan. 2013 to April 2015)  Campaign manager at Ted Cruz for Senate from Jan. 2011 to present.  Associate at Caddo Associates, April 2010 to present.  Campaign manager at Texans for Ted Cruz, July 2009-April 2010.  Press secretary (Aug. 2003-July 2008) and deputy press secretary (Dec. 2002-Aug. 2003) to Sen. John Cornyn; deputy press secretary on the Cornyn for Senate campaign, March-Dec. 2002.  Chief correspondent for Inside the Vatican magazine and senior reporter at Vatican Radio.  Undergraduate degree from Berea College.  twitter

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