RNC Chairman Reince Priebus Announces Katie Walsh as Chief of Staff

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus Announces Katie Walsh as Chief of Staff  
 
WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement announcing Katie Walsh as the new RNC Chief of Staff:

“Today, I’m pleased to announce that Katie Walsh will serve as the next RNC Chief of Staff,” said Chairman Reince Priebus. “As our Finance Director during the successful 2014 midterm cycle, Katie’s leadership helped the RNC break multiple fundraising records. Her tireless work ethic, team spirit, and proven fundraising abilities will make her an outstanding Chief of Staff.

“Working with every department, Katie will ensure that we build on the success of 2014 as we partner with our state parties, sister committees, and our eventual presidential nominee’s campaign. We will continue to strengthen our field operation, our data and digital capabilities, and our voter outreach and engagement.

"The 2016 presidential cycle is already well underway, and it will require a significant financial commitment from the RNC. Having someone with a proven fundraising and finance background as our Chief of Staff will help power the committee toward yet another record-breaking cycle.

“I want to thank outgoing Chief of Staff Mike Shields for his leadership over the last two years. Following the release of the Growth and Opportunity Project, Mike came on board at a critical time. During his tenure, we fundamentally reshaped how the RNC does business as we transformed the committee into a full-time, year-round, data-driven operation. We accomplished a great deal with Mike at the helm, and I’m so grateful for his leadership and his friendship.”

“Chairman Priebus has offered a clear vision for the committee as we head toward 2016, and I’m excited to get to work as Chief of Staff to make that vision a reality—so that two years from now, there’s a Republican in the Oval Office,” said Katie Walsh. “For all our success in 2014, we have a great deal of work to do for 2016, and that work has already begun. The RNC will do the things that only the RNC can do: building a campaign infrastructure for our nominee and our candidates up and down the ballot, ensuring a primary process that works for voters and candidates, making smart investments in data and voter engagement, and implementing the new system of presidential primary debates. All the while, we will continue to offer a positive, optimistic, inclusive Republican message to all voters across the country."

Biographical information for Katie Walsh:

Katie Walsh was named RNC Finance Director in June 2013, after joining the RNC as Deputy Finance Director in January 2013. During the 2014 cycle, the RNC raised nearly $200 million, including $56 million from major donors. Katie also served as Senator John Cornyn’s National Finance Director during his 2014 re-election campaign. In her previous role as Deputy Finance Director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, she worked with Senate campaigns across the country to implement comprehensive fundraising and campaign strategies. Her past experience also includes serving as Midwest Regional Finance Director for the McCain-Palin campaign in 2008 and working for Friends of Fred Thompson, at the Ashcroft Group, and as a field representative for Missourians for Matt Blunt.