Sen. Rand Paul Organization: Pre-Campaign

Organization | RAND PAUL page

RAND PAC FEC leadership PAC filed on March 9, 2011.
Rand Paul Victory Committee FEC joint fundraising committee filed on June 11, 2013.
Rand Paul for U.S. Senate FEC 2016 campaign committee.
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(page revised April 10, 2015)

Reinventing A New Direction PAC (RAND PAC)
Executive Director Doug Stafford

(May 2013) Chief of staff to Sen. Paul through May 2013. Consulted on Rand Paul's successful 2010 Senate race. Worked at the National Right to Work Committee starting as a junior writer and rising to vice president. Attended University of Maryland. From Long Island, NY. twitter

Senior Advisor [Campaign Manager in Waiting] Chip Englander

(first reported by The Washington Post on Jan. 13, 2015 >) Campaign manager on Bruce Rauner's campaign for governor of Illinois in 2014. Campaign manager on former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann's 2012 U.S. Senate primary campaign in Wisconsin. Vice president in Mercury Public Affairs' Sacramento office from 2007. Chief of staff to California Assemblyman Joel Anderson, 2007. Campaign manager on U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook's 2006 campaign for governor of Oklahoma (lost to Gov. Brad Henry (D)). From California. twitter

Senior Advisor Steve Munisteri

(announced Jan. 30, 2015; Munisteri announced Jan. 29, 2015 he will resign as chair of Republican Party of Texas effective March 7) Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas from June 13, 2010-March 7, 2015. Founded the law offices of Stephen P. Munisteri on Nov. 1, 1982; sold the firm to employees, 2004-08 and retired. Also owner of Munisteri Exploration, a vehicle for investing in wildcat oil and gas projects, and owner of a sports management promotion company. Associate with the insurance defense firm Funderburk and Funderburk for 13 months. J.D. from University of Texas Law School, 1981; BBA in finance from University of Texas at Austin, 1979. Founded Young Conservatives of Texas in 1980. State Chair of Young Texans for Reagan during the 1980 presidential campaign. Vice chairman for Texas Young Americans for Freedom in 1976 and served as state chairman from 1977 to 1980. Grew up in Houston, TX.

National Political Director and Michigan Chief Strategist John Yob

(announced July 28, 2014) Partner in Strategic National Consulting, LLC, based in Grand Rapids, MI and has worked on numerous campaigns. National delegate director on Rick Santorum for President in 2012. Deputy political director on the McCain-Palin campaign (started as the McCain campaign's Michigan state director). President of Independent Campaign Marketing Inc.. Graduate of the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA); former chairman of the Michigan College Republicans; son of former RNC committeeman Chuck Yob. twitter

Senior Advisor and New England Chief Strategist Mike Biundo

(announced July 8, 2014) Co-founder and partner at RightOn Strategies; recently served as Sam Clovis's general consultant in the Iowa Senate primary. Deputy coalitions director (social Conservatives/Tea Party/Second Amendment) on Mitt Romney's presidential campaign (reported April 26, 2012). Campaign manager on Rick Santorum's presidential campaign through suspension on April 10, 2012 (announced as campaign manager on Oct. 12, 2011; announced as national political director on April 26, 2011; announced as NH PAC director on Jan. 5, 2011) Biundo played key roles in Frank Guinta's successful campaigns for Congress in 2010 and for Mayor of Manchester in 2005 and 2007. He worked on Jim Coburn's unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign in 2006 and as a consultant to former Gov. Pataki's 21st Century Freedom State PAC. State representative, Ward 8, Manchester, 2004-06; defeated in re-election bid. With Jack Heath, he acquired NSP Graphics and co-founded Meridian Communications in 2003, which they ran in the mid-2000s. President of Atlantic Strategies Group, 1998-2000. Executive director, Gun Owners of New Hampshire, 1997-98. New Hampshire deputy campaign manager of Buchanan for President, 1995-96. Grew up in New York. twitter

Senior Advisor Chris LaCivita

(first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Jan. 12, 2015) President of Advancing Strategies. Sent by the NRSC to Kansas in Sept. 2014 to help Sen. Pat Roberts' U.S. Senate re-election campaign. Chief political strategist on Ken Cuccinelli's 2013 campaign for governor of Virginia. Senior consultant on Linda McMahon's 2012 campaign for U.S. Senate in Connecticut. Political director at the NRSC from May 2010. General strategist on State Sen. Robert Hurt's successful campaign for the Republican nomination in Virginia's 5th CD, June 8, 2010 primary. General strategist on Sen. Ken Cuccinelli's campaign for Virginia attorney general, 2009. Consultant to SC Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer in 2009. Co-founder of the American Issues Project, a 501(c)(4) active in 2008. General consultant to Sen. George Allen's unsuccessful 2006 re-election campaign. Senior advisor to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in 2004. Executive director of Progress for America, a 501(c)(4), from late 2003. National political director and director of issue advocacy at the NRSC during the 2002 midterm elections (under Chairman Bill Frist). Campaign manager on George Allen's successful 2000 campaign for U.S. Senate. Executive director of the Virginia Republican Party, 1996-June 1999. Worked for Gov. George Allen's Campaign for Honest Change PAC; Assistant Secretary of Administration for Gov. George Allen; worked on George Allen's 1993 gubernatorial campaign; legislative assistant to then Rep. George Allen; worked on George Allen's 1991 congressional campaign in Virginia. Corporal in the Marine Corps; served in the Persian Gulf War. Graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, 1989. twitter

Communications Director Sergio Gor

Communications advisor in Paul's Senate office from May-Sept. 2013. Communications director to U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes (VA), Spring 2012 to May 2013. Worked in production at Fox Business Network in New York City. Press secretary for U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN) from early 2010. Worked for the Washington News Observer. Communications analyst at the RNC, 2008. Double major in poitical science and international affairs from The George Washington University, 2008. Grew up in Los Angeles. twitter

Press Secretary Eleanor May

Transitioning over in Feb. 2015 after serving as press secretary in the Senate office. twitter

Chief Digital Strategist Vincent Harris

(announced Nov. 18, 2014) Founder (2008) and CEO of Harris Media LLC in Austin, TX; clients have included Sen. Mitch McConnell, Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Jan Brewer and Gov. Bob McDonnell, as well as serving as digital director on Newt Gingrich for President, Jan.-April 2012 and digital director on Rick Perry for President, Nov. 2011-Jan. 2012. New media director at the NRSC, Jan.-July 2009. Internet director at John Cornyn for Senate, Feb. 2008-Jan. 2009. Iowa online director and national blogger on Mike Huckabee for President, May 2007-Feb. 2008. B.A. in religion from Baylor University, 2009; working towards PhD from University of Texas at Austin. twitter

Confidante/Business Liaison Nate Morris

Co-founder and CEO of Rubicon Global, "North America’s leading provider of sustainable waste and recycling services," based in Atlanta, and founder and chairman of Morris Industries, a privately held industrial group in Lexlington. From Lexington, KY.

Finance Director Amanda Weaver

(Oct. 2013) Director of strategic initiatives at The Rainmakers, LLC, June 2010-Oct. 2013. B.A. in political science from Hillsdale College, 2010, after attending Madonna University from 2006-08.

also
Finance Consulting Saber Communications - Mike Rothfeld (VA)
Telemarketing Consulting Strategic Fundraising, Inc. (Chicago)

Finance, Media, Grassroots Outreach Alexandra Russo

(Oct. 2013) Operations director at Tea Party Express, May 2011-Oct. 2013. B.A. in communication, political science from the University of Southern California, 2011. From Sacramento; daughter of Sal Russo.

Senior Advisor Trygve Olson

In addition to advising Sen. Paul, Olson is also serving as an advisor on House and Senate races for the American Crossroads super PAC, announced April 2013. Senior advisor on the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee, and advisor on Rand Paul's 2010 U.S. Senate race. President of Viking Strategies, LLC and founder of AdvancingFreedom.org, from Aug. 2010. Managing director at Mercury Public Affairs, LLC, Jan. 2008-Aug. 2010. e-political director on John McCain 2008, Jan.-July 2007. Belarus director for the International Republican Institute, 2001-07. Founding partner of Public Issue Management, 1998-2001. Managed the Jim Harsdorf for Congress campaign in Wisconsin, 1996. M.S. in economics and English from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. twitter

Pollster Tony Fabrizio

(reported by Politico's Alex Isenstadt on April 1, 2015) Principal at Fabrizio Ward, Fabrizio, Lee & Associates, Inc. from Jan. 2014, Fabrizio McLaughlin & Associates for many years; also senior counselor at Mercury Public Affairs. Pollster and strategist on Gov. Rick Perry's 2012 presidential campaign from late Oct. 2011. Numerous other campaigns including pollster and strategist on Rick Scott's successful campaign for Governor of Florida in 2010,. Principal and chief strategist on Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign.

Pollster Fritz Wenzel Wenzel Strategies

Wenzel Strategies is a Columbus, Ohio-based firm headed by Fritz Wenzel since May 2005. "The firm has political, media, business, government, and non-profit clients nationwide." Pollster on the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee. In the 2010 election cycle, its races included Rand Paul's campaign for U.S. Senate. Wenzel also served of director of communications for Zogby International, 2005-08. Prior to that he worked in journalism, most recently as chief political columnist at the Toledo Blade. twitter

Media Rex Elsass The Strategy Group for Media

(reported by The Washington Post's Robert Costa) Founder and CEO of The Strategy Group for Media, based in Columbus, Ohio, since 1994. Worked for the Republican Party of Ohio. Candidate for state legislature in 1986. B.A. degree in radio and TV production and performance from Ashland University. From Mansfield, OH.

IOWA

Iowa Advisor A.J. Spiker

(March 2014) Spiker resigned his position as chairman of the Iowa Republican Party effective March 29, 2014; he was elected Feb. 11, 2012 to complete a term through Jan. 2013 and re-elected Jan. 5, 2013. Spiker served as Iowa co-chair of Ron Paul’s campaign (announced April 26, 2011). He is a former chairman, co-chairman, and treasurer of the Story County Republicans. He is a realtor from Ames. twitter

Iowa Chief Strategist Steve Grubbs

(announced June 30, 2014) Founder (1993) and CEO of Victory Enterprises, Inc., a consulting and communications firm based in Davenport. State chairman on Herman Cain's 2011 Iowa caucus campaign. Consultant on Tommy Thompson's 2007 Iowa campaign. Senior advisor on the Forbes 2000 campaign. Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, 1998. Candidate for U.S. Senate, 1996. Iowa Caucus chairman, Dole for President, 1996. State Representative, 1991-97. Polling and research director for Tauke for Congress, 1988. Campus director of University of Iowa Students for Dole in 1987, then a field staffer for Dole for President in 1988. J.D., University of Iowa School of Law, 1994. B.B.A., University of Iowa School of Business, 1989. twitter

Political Director Jonathan Van Norman

(reported by Liberty Conservatives blog on Feb. 21, 2015) A regional field director for the Republican Party of Kentucky, announced April 2013. Iowa field staffer of National Right to Work Committee in 2012. 4th CD (Northwest) regional director on Ron Paul's 2011-12 Iowa caucus camapign. Van Norman has done web and DVD/HD video production and website creation since Dec. 2008. He worked a couple of stints as a field representative for The Leadership Institute. Teacher/coach at Hamilton Christian Academy, 2009-10. Bachelor's degree in history, political science from Wheaton College (IL), 2008. From Lake Charles, LA.

Influential Supporter Steve Sukup

(endorsement made at a Feb. 7, 2015 fundraiser Sukup organized for Paul in Ames; as reported by the Des Moines Register) Co-owner of Sukup Manufacturing Company since 1978; based in Sheffield, Iowa the firm manufactures grain handling equipment and storage bins. Candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2002 finishing second with 32% of the vote. Elected in 1994 to represent District 18, Franklin and Hardin Counties, in the Iowa House of Representatives, and served eight years. Resident of Clear Lake, Iowa. Note: Last cycle Sukup made a late endorsement of former Sen. Rick Santorum, announced in a Dec. 28, 2011 campaign news release.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

New England Chief Strategist and National Senior Advisor Mike Biundo

Political Director David Chesley

(announced March 19, 2015; reported by NH Journal's John DeStaso on March 18, 2015) RNC state director for New Hampshire and senior advisor to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee in the 2014 cycle; started as political director and senior advisor to the NHGOP from early 2013. Senior advisor to former U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass' campaign for Congress in 2012. Managed Jennifer Horn's 2010 and 2008 congressional campaigns. Field director and earlier field staffer on Rudy Giuliani's 2007-08 NH primary campaign. Grassroots and coalitions director on U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass' unsuccessful 2006 re-election campaign. Deputy coalitions director on Elizabeth Dole's 2002 Senate Campaign and an office manager in her Senate office. twitter

Operations Director Tammy Simmons

(announced March 19, 2015) Currently serving her second term in the NH House of Representatives (1, 2). Chairman of the Manchester Republican City Committee. very active in the 2012 and 2008 Ron Paul presidential campaigns. Served as executive director of the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition and coordinator of the Spending Cap in Manchester. Resident of West Manchester. twitter

SOUTH CAROLINA

Senior Advisor Chris LaCivita

(see above)

MICHIGAN

Michigan Chief Strategist John Yob

(also national political director, see above)

CALIFORNIA

The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Sept. 20, 2014 that Sen. Paul, in an interview with the paper, said he was "in the process of" opening an office in the San Francisco Bay Area. Office reportedly set to open on May 8, 2015.

TEXAS

Office: Capital Factory, Austin (announced March 12, 2015)
Senior Field and Technology Strategist Rachel Kania

Owner of Uproot Strategies, LLC from May 2014. Statewide field director on Texans for Todd Staples, Dec. 2013-March 2014. Political director (Dec. 2012-Nov. 2013) and state field director (May-Nov. 2012) on Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate. National volunteer director on Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign, Oct. 2011-March 2012; started out as an Iowa regional director, May-Oct. 2011. Outreach director at Young Americans for Liberty, Agu. 2009-Aug. 2010. Bachelor's degree in political science from University of South Florida.

Chief Digital Strategist Vincent Harris

see above

also Texas: Senior Advisor Steve Munisteri, who served as chair of the Texas Republican Party to March 7, 2015 (see above)

possibly...
Jesse Benton

(served as campaign manager on Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's 2014 re-election campaign in Kentucky until resigning on Aug. 27, 2014) Campaign chairman on the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee. Campaign manager on Rand Paul's 2010 U.S. Senate race from May 2010. Communications director on Rep. Ron Paul's 2008 presidential campaign starting in March 2007. President of C.I.C Solutions, a Washington, D.C. based consulting firm. Benton has served as press secretary at Americans for Tax Reform, communications director at the American Conservative Union, director of public policy and external affairs at the Performance Institute and communications director and policy consultant for the Liberty Coalition. He has also worked on campaigns and in corporate and trade association government relations and external affairs. Alumnus of Mary Washington College. Native Philadelphian.

not clear if still with...

Fundraising Director Erika Sather

(source Robert Costa March 2014 article in the Washington Post) Vice president of development at the Club for Growth. Previously a fundraiser for Mark Neumann in Wisconsin.

Campaign Operations Assistant Sandra Sabbagh

(Feb. 2013) Assistant to the chief of staff in Senate office, Feb. 2013-May 2014. Director of communications at the National Right to Work Committee, June 2012-Jan. 2013. Staffer on Ron Paul 2012 PCC, Nov. 2011-May 2012. Revenue management analyst at Hilton Worldwide in Dallas, TX. B.B.A. in finance from Texas Christian University, 2010.

for more on fundraising see:
Robert Costa. "Rand Paul builds 50-state network, courts, mainstream support for presidential bid." The Washington Post, March 27, 2014.
Julie Bykowicz. "Rand Paul Backer Trades Trash Contacts for Political Cash." Bloomberg, May 28, 2014.
Shane Goldmacher. "Rand Paul's New Confidant." National Journal, June 21, 2014.

other key people...
U.S. Senate Office
Senior Staff include
Chief of Staff William Henderson
(May 2013; moved up when Stafford moved to PAC) Deputy chief of staff from the start of Paul's tenure in the Senate. Served in Sen. Jim Bunning’s office for the previous 11 years, including as legislative director and counsel and staff director for Bunning on his Banking subcommittee position.

Executive Assistant and Scheduler Jessica Jelgerhuis

(Jan. 2011) Previously a scheduler in the U.S. House from April 2009. B.B.A. from Covenant College, 2008.

Director of Broadcast Media and Deputy Press Secretary Jillian Lane

(Sept. 2013) Started in Sen. Paul's office as staff assistant (Jan.-April 2011), then press assistant (April 2011-Dec. 2012), then deputy press secretary (from Jan. 2013). Executive assistant at The Strategy Group for Media, July 2010-Jan. 2011. Degree in psychology from Concordia University-Irvine. twitter

Legislative Director John Gray

(April 2013; started with Paul as budget director from Jan. 2011-April 2013) Briefly served as a political consultant on Ron Paul for President (author of "Plan to Restore America"). Policy advisor to House Republican Conference under chairman Mike Pence, April 2010-Jan. 2011. Budget analyst Nov. 2008-April 2010) and special assistant (Jan. 2007-Nov. 2008) at the House Budget Committee under ranking member Paul Ryan. Studied international economics at Carthage College.

State Director Jim Milliman

(Feb. 2011) Worked as a commercial litigation attorney at Middleton Reutlinger P.S.C. in Louisville. J.D. from University of Louisville, 1970.

former/transitioning out:

Press Secretary Eleanor May

twitter

Counsel and Senior Communications Director Brian Darling
(Dec. 2012 to week of Feb. 16, 2015) Senior fellow for government studies (April 2011-Dec. 2012) and director of government relations (June 2005-March 2011) at the Heritage Foundation. Counsel to Sen. Mel Martinez, Jan.-April 2005. Partner at ASG, 2003-04. Counsel to Sen. Bob Smith, Oct. 1999-Dec. 2003. J.D. from New England School of Law, 1996; B.A. in political science from Salem State College, 1992.

Pre-Campaign Organization (to Nov. 4, 2014)

Reinventing A New Direction PAC (RAND PAC)

Executive Director Doug Stafford

National Political Director and Michigan Chief Strategist John Yob

Communications Director Sergio Gor

Confidante/Business Liaison Nate Morris

Finance Director Amanda Weaver

(Oct. 2013) Director of strategic initiatives at The Rainmakers, LLC, June 2010-Oct. 2013. B.A. in political science from Hillsdale College, 2010, after attending Madonna University from 2006-08.

also
Telemarketing Consulting Strategic Fundraising, Inc. (Chicago)
Finance Consulting Saber Communications - Mike Rothfeld (VA)

Finance, Media, Grassroots Outreach Alexandra Russo

title? Rachel Kania

Senior Advisor Trygve Olson

Pollster Fritz Wenzel Wenzel Strategies

IOWA

Iowa Advisor A.J. Spiker

Iowa Chief Strategist Steve Grubbs

NEW HAMPSHIRE

New England Chief Strategist Mike Biundo

and maintains ties to Rand Paul...

Andrew Demers
Founder and managing member of Liberty Political Solutions LLC from Jan. 2008. National director of voter contact on Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign. Political director on Rand Paul for U.S. Senate, 2009-10. Director of absentee balloting for Republicans' Victory 2008 in New Hampshire. New Hampshire field coordinator on Paul's 2008 presidential campaign.

MICHIGAN

Michigan Chief Strategist John Yob

(also national political director, see above)

CALIFORNIA

The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Sept. 20, 2014 that Sen. Paul, in an interview with the paper, said he was "in the process of" opening an office in the San Francisco Bay Area.

possibly...
Jesse Benton

Iowa Supporter Drew Ivers

Ivers served as Iowa campaign chairman for Ron Paul's 2012 and 2008 campaigns. He was Iowa campaign chair for Pat Buchanan in 1996 and 2000. Iowa campaign chairman for Pat Robertson in 1988; chaired Robertson's state-wide organization that led to the creation of the initial 1989 Christian Coalition of Iowa (now known as the Iowa Christian Alliance). District chair for Ronald Reagan in 1980. Has served on many Iowa campaigns. Republican State Central Committee member since 2010, and from 1984-88. Five-time Republican National Convention delegate. Geneticist, retired after 35 years; has seven patents. Purple Heart honoree for his U.S. Army service in Vietnam. Holds A.S., B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. From Webster City.

not clear if still with...

Fundraising Director Erika Sather

(source Robert Costa March 2014 article in the Washington Post) Vice president of development at the Club for Growth. Previously a fundraiser for Mark Neumann in Wisconsin.

Campaign Operations Assistant Sandra Sabbagh

other key people...
> Senate Office
Senior Staff include
Chief of Staff William Henderson
(May 2013; moved up when Stafford moved to PAC) Deputy chief of staff from the start of Paul's tenure in the Senate. Served in Sen. Jim Bunning’s office for the previous 11 years, including as legislative director and counsel and staff director for Bunning on his Banking subcommittee position.

Counsel and Senior Communications Director Brian Darling
(Dec. 2012) Senior fellow for government studies (April 2011-Dec. 2012) and director of government relations (June 2005-March 2011) at the Heritage Foundation. Counsel to Sen. Mel Martinez, Jan.-April 2005. Partner at ASG, 2003-04. Counsel to Sen. Bob Smith, Oct. 1999-Dec. 2003. J.D. from New England School of Law, 1996; B.A. in political science from Salem State College, 1992.

Press Secretary Eleanor May

twitter

Executive Assistant and Scheduler Jessica Jelgerhuis

(Jan. 2011) Previously a scheduler in the U.S. House from April 2009. B.B.A. from Covenant College, 2008.

Legislative Director John Gray

State Director Jim Milliman

(Feb. 2011) Worked as a commercial litigation attorney at Middleton Reutlinger P.S.C. in Louisville. J.D. from University of Louisville, 1970.