PPP's monthly look at the 2016 Republican field for President finds essentially a 4 way tie at the top- Marco Rubio has 16%, Jeb Bush and Chris Christie 15% each, and Rand Paul 14%. Paul Ryan at 9%, Ted Cruz at 7%, Rick Santorum at 5%, Bobby Jindal at 3%, and Susana Martinez at 1% round out the potential candidates we tested...
There hasn't been much movement on the Democratic side either. Hillary Clinton leads with 63% to 13% for Joe Biden, 4% for Andrew Cuomo, 3% for Mark Warner and Elizabeth Warren, 2% for Martin O'Malley, and 1% each for Kirsten Gillibrand, Deval Patrick, and Brian Schweitzer.
Marquette Law School Poll looks at 2016 presidential candidates
MILWAUKEE – A new Marquette Law School Poll finds U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan leading the field in his home state for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016, with support from 27 percent of Wisconsin Republican voters and independents who lean Republican. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has the support of 21 percent, while Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is third with 16 percent support. Other potential candidates include New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 11 percent, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul at 7 percent, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 5 percent and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal at 1 percent. Twelve percent said they didn’t know or preferred someone else.
RNC Expands African American Engagement With New Staff Hire
WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee continues to expand its minority engagement with the addition of Kristal Quarker, who will serve as National Field Director for African American Initiatives. This addition comes on the heels of the recent release of the RNC’s Growth and Opportunity Project, which outlined a new GOP engagement program to strengthen and grow relationships with more Americans-- including African American, Hispanic and Asian-Pacific voters, businesses, and community leaders.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kristal Quarker aboard as our new National Field Director for African American Initiatives. Kristal will be an asset to the Committee as we work to engage new voters, build relationships in the African American community, and develop an unprecedented grassroots-focused field operation,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “I am confident in her ability to promote the Republican principles of freedom and opportunity, while building strong relationships that will translate into Republican victories across the country.
“Kristal will work alongside our Director of African American Communications, Amani Council. Together, they will listen to voters’ priorities and build a strategic plan to address the concerns of the African American community. As the Growth and Opportunity Project made clear, we have to be invested in every community and address the concerns of all voters to build our party. We must establish a permanent, ongoing presence in places where we haven’t been in a long time, and Kristal will help us do just that.”
Kristal Quarker has more than eight years of combined political and public policy experience. She served as Professional Staff for the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Director of Business Outreach and Communications for the House Republican Policy Committee, and Senior Legislative Advisor to Rep. Thaddeus McCotter. She began her work in politics as the State Minority Coalitions Director for the Tennessee Republican Party, where she worked to build a strong support base and effective marketing strategy among minorities.
Plymouth, MN - “To effectively communicate my results oriented conservative message to all Minnesotans, I need a great team that helps me run a great campaign. That’s what we’ve started building.
“In our state, you can’t win if you don’t run an innovative campaign that explains to all our citizens how our ideas are going to make their lives better. No matter how good your ideas or principled your point of view, it doesn’t matter if you don’t run a winning campaign.”
General Consultant and lead strategist - Pat Shortridge; Longtime GOP consultant and strategist and former MNGOP Chairman.
Finance Director - Shanna Woodbury. Woodbury is Minnesota’s preeminent Republican fundraiser having worked on numerous statewide, Congressional, and national Republican campaigns.
Deputy Campaign Manager - Valentina Weis; Weis is a veteran of Republican politics, having recently worked for Congressman Allen West (FL-22), Congressman Francisco Canseco (TX-23), the Republican National Convention, and Romney for President.
Campaign Coordinator – Brady Dube; Former Field Director and Research Coordinator at the MNGOP.
Field Manager – Sheldon Anderson; Former local elected official and District Director for Congressman Chip Cravaack as well as a longtime small business owner and Republican activist.
Media – Scott Howell, Scott Howell & Company. Scott Howell & Company is one of the most successful political media firms in the country. Clients include former Senator Norm Coleman, Senator John Thune, and President George W. Bush.
Polling – Linda DiVall, American Viewpoint. Linda DiVall has provided effective strategies to political clients for 27 years, including Congressional, Senate, Gubernatorial, and Presidential campaigns.
Marketing – Priscilla Pesci; A former Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of MGM Worldwide Television Group. Pesci has extensive experience in social, digital media, television, and music.
Digital – Wesley Donehue, Push Digital. Known as one of the most innovative political tech companies in the nation, Push Digital handles operations for statewide candidates across the country.
Treasurer – Ted Daley; A licensed CPA and MBA, Daley recently served as a state senator from Eagan. He is a West Point graduate who served in Korea, with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and deployed for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Controller – Erik Johnson; A licensed CPA and former treasurer for Sheriff Rich Stanek's campaign, holds bachelors and masters degrees in accounting from the University of Minnesota.
Campaign Chairman – Brian Clark; A Mound sewer and water small business owner and lifelong friend of Scott Honour.
The Republican Governors Association announced today that Gail Gitcho will join the organization as its Communications Director, assuming responsibility for the RGA’s communications strategy in the 38 gubernatorial elections scheduled to take place between now and the end of 2014.
“Gail is one of the top communications professionals for the Republican Party, and her wealth of experience will be an incredible addition for the RGA in the 2013-2014 election cycle,” said RGA Chairman Bobby Jindal. “With 38 governor’s races over the next two years, Gail’s record as an aggressive strategist and talented spokesman will serve the RGA well in promoting the successful results-oriented records of our governors.”
Gitcho previously served as Communications Director for Governor Mitt Romney’s 2012 Presidential campaign. She has also served in the roles of Communications Director for U.S. Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts in 2010-2011, Press Secretary at the Republican National Committee in 2009-2010, Mid-Atlantic Communications Director for U.S Senator John McCain’s 2008 Presidential campaign, and as a Regional Press Secretary on Governor Mitt Romney’s 2008 Presidential campaign. Gitcho also served as Florida Congressman Clay Shaw's Communications Director from 2004 to 2007.
“Republican Governors are dramatically re-shaping their states, and I’m proud to join the best team in politics for what will be a critical election cycle,” Gitcho said. “I look forward to working hard to defend our majority of 30 Republican Governors.”
I want to thank all of my friends, family, advisors and supporters who have put so much time, thought, prayer, and effort into helping me make a decision on whether to run for the United States Senate. I sincerely thank every potential candidate, all of whom graciously gave me room to decide. Probably no one in America, considering such an opportunity, enjoys as clear a path to the nomination. It is an extraordinary opportunity that will not be repeated in millions of lifetimes.
I have said from the beginning this decision requires "the head, the gut, and the heart" to line up together. I have done due diligence and evaluated the race from a statewide, objective perspective. I have talked with hundreds of supporters...and some detractors. I sincerely thank all of you who have helped in so many ways.
My analytical part, the head, tells me the race is winnable and must be won in 2014 or a generational opportunity could be lost. I have said a race for the Senate is "a slight up hill battle". It is, but it's "no hill for a climber".
The question I am answering today is, "What is my duty?" I believe my duty is to utilize the honor of serving Iowans in Congress by maximizing my effectiveness. I owe it to all Iowans and Americans to give you my best effort and best judgment.
We have in front of us in Congress a series of potent issues which will redirect the destiny of our state and nation. Among them are a farm bill, ObamaCare, debt and deficit, immigration, and tax reform. If I step away from these responsibilities while campaigning in an effort to multiply leverage in the Senate, what becomes of our nation in the mean time?
This week, I made a simple device to put toothpaste back in the tube. But a device to put the Leftist genie back in the bottle is not so simple. The best tool we have now is the majority in the U.S. House which functions mostly to keep the Leftist genie in the bottle. I cannot, in good conscience, turn my back on the destiny decisions of Congress today in order to direct all my efforts to a Senate race for next year, while hoping to gain the leverage to put the genie back in the bottle in 2015.
The most timely and conclusive piece of advice I received crystallized my decision. A friend, whose 77th birthday is today, said to me, "I will support you whatever you decide to do. If you decide to run, don't be a reluctant candidate." If I said, "Yes" to a Senate race, I would be a reluctant candidate because of the reasons I've written above.
Accordingly, I will not be a candidate for the United States Senate in 2014. It is my intention to turn my efforts and energy with great vigor to the issues at hand. I anticipate being on the ballot for reelection to the U.S. House, Fourth District of Iowa. It is a challenging and rewarding job that I enjoy. My sincerest thanks to all involved.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz to Headline South Carolina Republican Party Silver Elephant Celebration
Governor Nikki Haley and Senators Tim Scott, Lindsey Graham, and Jim DeMint also scheduled to speak
Columbia, S.C.- The South Carolina Republican Party is honored to welcome U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) as the keynote speaker at its 46th Annual Silver Elephant Celebration: A Tribute to US Senator Jim DeMint.
The event, to be held this Friday night, will celebrate the state's vibrant and growing Republican Party with Barbecue and Beaufort Stew, and live music.
“The Silver Elephant Celebration has a storied tradition of bringing the brightest stars in the GOP to South Carolina – many of whom have run for national office. Reflecting on that tradition, we felt that Senator Ted Cruz was a compelling choice. With a commitment to less government and more freedom, he is clearly a Jim DeMint brand of Republican. In only a short time we have seen Senator Cruz lead on issues ranging from the deficit to gun rights to efforts to repeal Obamacare and Senator Cruz is exactly the type of leader we need in Washington. As we honor Senator DeMint and his service to South Carolina, we are excited to hear from Senator Cruz as he carries on the work Senator DeMint started,” said Chad Connelly, chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party.
Governor Nikki Haley and Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint are also scheduled to speak. Members of South Carolina's Congressional delegation, Constitutional officers, and Legislative leaders will be in attendance.
SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PARTY AND SENATOR RAND PAUL ANNOUNCE TRIP TO SOUTH CAROLINA BY SENATOR PAUL
Columbia, SC – Today, South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Chad Connelly and U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) announced plans for Senator Paul to visit South Carolina on Friday, June 28, 2013.
“We can’t wait to officially welcome Senator Rand Paul to South Carolina. Senator Paul’s record of fighting for individual liberties, limited government, and free market principles are vital to restoring our country’s greatness,” said SCGOP Chairman Chad Connelly.
“As we work to elect Mark Sanford to Congress, Senator Paul’s generosity has been unmatched. Dana and I enjoyed spending eight days with Senator Paul and his wife Kelly in Israel a few months ago. We look forward to hosting them at events across the state as we work together to build our party to higher levels.”
Senator Paul stated, “I am happy to once again come to South Carolina, this time to help the South Carolina Republican Party as we fight for conservative values together, now and in the future,” said Senator Rand Paul.
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus Announces Regional Political Directors
WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement announcing the RNC’s Regional Political Directors for the 2014 midterm election cycle:
“I am excited to announce new additions to our RNC Political team, a group of talented individuals who will serve as the Regional Political Directors for the 2014 midterm election cycle,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “Serving under RNC Political Director Chris McNulty, the six Regional Political Directors will be responsible for coordinating the ground game operation and voter contacts across the country. Our new field operation is focused on building the party from the bottom up and engaging in communities where we haven’t been. This will be the RPD’s focus as they work to ensure Republicans are elected up and down the ticket in 2014 as we strengthen the Republican Party in all states and territories.
“We have a lot of work to do to build out our new ground game and welcome new voters following the 2012 election cycle. I am confident that these Regional Political Directors will be able to help Republicans win new seats in the House, win back the Senate and elect Republican legislatures and governors in all 50 states and territories.”
Tiffany Watkins
Maine/Vermont/New Hampshire/Massachusetts/Connecticut/New York/New Jersey/Delaware/Maryland/Rhode Island/Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands/N. Mariana Islands/Guam/American Samoa/District of Columbia
Tiffany Watkins was the Director of Government Affairs for the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. Prior to that, she served as Chief Financial Officer for Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate. She has previously held positions with Orr Associates, the U.S. Department of Education, Jim Talent for U.S. Senate, the Bush-Cheney Re-Election Campaign, the White House Office of Public Liaison, the RNC, and Merrill Lynch.
Matt Mason served as an RNC Regional Political Director during the 2012 election cycle. His previous roles include Victory Coordinator for the Ohio Republican Party, State Victory Director for Ohio in three consecutive cycles, Regional Political Director for the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee, RNC State Victory Director in Virginia, and Michigan Executive Political Director in 2010. He is also a combat veteran with the United States Marine Corps, having served with Lima Company 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines in Iraq in 2005.
Josh Kivett
North Carolina/South Carolina/Georgia/Florida/Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana/Arkansas/Oklahoma
Josh Kivett has nearly 15 years of experience in political and communications management, including a long history in Oklahoma and Georgia electoral politics. As a partner at Connect Strategic Communications and the Jamison Group, Inc., his clients have included congressional, senate, and presidential campaigns. He previously served as the Campaign Manager for U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Republican State House Committee.
Mark Jefferson has served the RNC as Midwestern RPD since May 2011. Before joining the RNC, Mark worked for over four years as Executive Director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. A native of central Wisconsin, he has run several House races and was the statewide director for the state Republican Assembly Campaign Committee. He has also served as a legislative aide in the Wisconsin State Capitol for more than a decade.
James Garcia was National Field Director for Romney for President and then served as the campaign’s Colorado State Manager for the general election. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Republican Committee from 2009 to 2011, as an RNC Deputy Regional Political Director during the 2010 cycle, as the RNC’s Victory Executive Director for Colorado in 2008, and as a field director for Rudy Giuiliani’s presidential campaign.
Peter has served as the Executive Director of the Washington State Republican Party since 2011; before that, he was the state party’s Political Director. His previous experience includes local and statewide politics. He was the field manager for Dino Rossi’s gubernatorial campaign and has served as campaign manager for state house and congressional races.
Democrats Hillary Clinton
Joe Biden
Andrew Cuomo
Mark Warner
Amy Klobuchar
Republicans Chris Christie
Mike Huckabee
Rick Santorum
Scott Walker
Paul Ryan
Bobby Jindal
Marco Rubio
Rick Perry
Nikki Haley
Susana Martinez
Jeb Bush
Rand Paul
Mike Pence
Bob McDonnell
Sam Brownback
John Kasich
