WASHINGTON, June 24 RNC-Victory-Directors
WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan announced the addition of six Victory '08 State Directors to the RNC team today.
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"As Election Day draws closer and we continue to grow the Republican National Committee's presence across the country, I feel confident Americans will embrace John McCain and Republican candidates up and down the ballot on Election Day because of the hard work and positive message we are spreading to voters," Duncan said. "With the addition of these Victory '08 State Directors, our program is that much stronger and that much closer to victory on Election Day."
James Anderson takes the helm of Victory operations in Iowa following his job as Director of Communications in the Office of Marketing, Communications, and Partnerships for the U.S. Commercial Service within the International Trade Administration at the Department of Commerce. Prior to working at Commerce, James served at the Treasury Department as Media Coordinator for the Office of Public Affairs. His experience with Victory and the RNC dates back to his time as Southern Oregon Field Director for Victory 2004 as well as Delegate and Caucus Coordinator at the 2004 Republican National Convention. James also worked as a Team Leader for surrogates in the Office of Public Liaison for the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee after the 2004 presidential election. He received a bachelor's degree from James Madison University in public administration, with a minor in political science in 2003.
In the Great Lakes State, Michael Grissom will be heading up Michigan Victory operations. Michael has worked on a number of campaigns for Republicans, including Rep. Rick Keller and Melissa Brown. From June 2005 to December 2006, Michael served as the 72-Hour Director for the RNC and Maryland Republican Party. Most recently, Michael has worked as a Deputy Political Director for John McCain in South Carolina and as Victory Director for the Republican Party of Kentucky.
The New Hampshire Victory operation will have Brandon Vidrine at the helm this cycle. Brandon comes from the John Kennedy for U.S. Senate campaign, where he served as Political Director. Prior to his campaign work for Kennedy, Brandon served as Campaign Manager for Mike Strain for Commissioner of Agriculture in Louisiana, 72-Hour Director for the Republican Party of Arkansas, worked in the Office of Public Liaison for the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee, and as Absentee-Early Vote Director for the RNC's Florida Victory 2004 efforts. A graduate of St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington, La., Brandon received his bachelor's degree in philosophy in May 2004.
Bryan Watkins is the new Oregon Victory Director, bringing with him experience from various West Coast Republican campaigns. He most recently served as Campaign Manager for Bob Watkins for Congress in San Diego, Calif., before which he served as California Field Representative for the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee. In 2006, Bryan worked with Victory on the re-election campaign of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, then as a Database Coordinator for Nathan Fletcher for State Assembly in California. In addition to this experience, Bryan has interned for Gov. Schwarzenegger, Rep. Edward Royce, and California State Assemblyman Mark Wyland.
The Commonwealth of Virginia's Victory '08 program will be headed up by Nicholas Meads, whose resume touts a number of roles in Virginia campaigns. Most recently, Nicholas served as Campaign Manager for Tom Davis for Congress, prior to which he served as a Senior Consultant and Campaign Manager for Mike May for Occoquan Supervisor. In 2005, Nicholas was the Fairfax County Field Director for Jerry Kilgore for Governor. In 2003, Nicholas worked as Campaign Manager for David Kennedy for Delegate in Alexandria, Va., which led to his first stint with Rep. Davis, as Deputy Campaign Manager in 2004. In 2003, Nicholas earned a bachelor's of arts in economics and government from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
The Sunshine State's new Victory Director is Jim Rimes, an 11-year veteran of Florida politics. Jim is also the Executive Director of the Republican Party of Florida, where he came after serving Gov. Charlie Crist as Deputy Chief of Staff. On the campaign trail, Jim served as Director of Operations for Charlie Crist for Governor. Jim also has been a campaign consultant for a number of successful Florida legislative campaigns, and he worked at the precinct level during the 2000 presidential recount to gather and analyze data. Jim holds a bachelor's of science degree from Florida State University.
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SOURCE Republican National Committee
