Ward Baker, Kevin McLaughlin Tapped to Lead NRSC in 2016 Cycle
Senator Roger Wicker, incoming NRSC Chairman, today announced that Ward Baker will serve as NRSC Executive Director and Kevin McLaughlin will serve as the Deputy Executive Director. On the heels of historic gains in 2014, Baker and McLaughlin will protect the new Republican Majority in the 2015-16 cycle.
“Ward Baker is uniquely prepared to serve as executive director of NRSC,” said incoming NRSC Chairman Roger Wicker. “He played an instrumental role in advancing conservative ideals and restoring a Republican majority to the Senate. We are determined to preserve and build on our majority in 2016, and I am delighted that Ward will help lead that charge.”
“I am equally pleased that Kevin McLaughlin will continue to stay on at NRSC in his new role as deputy executive director,” Wicker continued. “As we gear up for the 2016 election, it is important to have experienced people on board, like Kevin, who know what it takes to win.”
“Ward and Kevin have been integral and tireless members of our team at NRSC this cycle,” said NRSC Chairman Jerry Moran. “Their experience at the committee and across Republican politics will serve NRSC well as Republicans work to defend and expand the Senate majority in 2016.”
“I am thankful for the opportunity given to me by Chairman Jerry Moran, and honored to have the confidence and trust of Leader McConnell and incoming Chairman Wicker,” said Baker. “For the past 20 plus months, we declared that anything short of winning the majority was a failure, and for the coming cycle anything less than protecting our majority will be a failure. We have our marching orders.”
“I am grateful to Sen. Moran for affording me the opportunity to play a small role in helping Republicans take the majority in the United States Senate and eager to work with Sen. Wicker to ensure Republicans hold that majority in 2016,” said McLaughlin.
About Ward Baker
Ward Baker most recently served as NRSC Political Director for the 2013-14 cycle where he successfully worked to win a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate. Baker helped to recruit one of the strongest classes of Republicans in history which led to transformative victories across the country. Baker placed a premium on quality, energetic and inspirational candidates who fit their respective states. In addition to defeating at least four Democratic incumbent Senators, not a single Republican Senator lost his or her re-election for the first time in a decade (since 2004). In January, at least eleven new Republican Senators will be sworn in: Dan Sullivan (AK), Tom Cotton (AR), Cory Gardner (CO), David Perdue (GA), Joni Ernst (IA), Steve Daines (MT), Thom Tillis (NC), Ben Sasse (NE), James Lankford (OK), Mike Rounds (SD), and Shelley Moore Capito (WV). Ensuring that Dr. Bill Cassidy (LA) joins them is essential, and will give us twelve new Republicans, significantly shifting the balance of power.
Prior to NRSC, Ward Baker has served as an advisor to over twenty members of Congress and many statewide elected officials, Baker has vast experience running Victory programs and overseeing independent expenditure campaigns. Baker also served as a senior advisor to the Romney for President where he acted as the official liaison to the Republican National Committee overseeing a $100 million dollar budget. Prior to the 2012 cycle, Baker was a member of Majority Strategies. He has also served as a senior political advisor on Governor Rick Scott’s 2010 campaign, Republican State Legislative Committee, the Bush-Cheney Campaign in Florida 2004, and Haley Barbour’s successful 2003 gubernatorial campaign in Mississippi. Ward and his wife Jennifer have one daughter Lillian.
About Kevin McLaughlin
Kevin McLaughlin most recently served as Senior Advisor to NRSC from the 2013-14 cycle where he helped achieve a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate. McLaughlin worked with candidates, campaigns and state parties to refine messaging, improve communications and train and develop staff. Under McLaughlin’s leadership, Republicans avoided devastating gaffes on the campaign trail and at least eleven new Republican Senator will be sworn in this January. Additionally, unlike prior cycles, not a single Republican Senator lost his or her re-election for the first time since 2004.
Prior to NRSC, Kevin McLaughlin founded (and owns) North Star, LLC, a boutique communications consulting firm located in Washington, DC. McLaughlin also worked as a Vice President at the DCI Group and served as the top communications advisor for Minority Whip John Cornyn. He has worked on and advised numerous statewide political campaigns across the country, the McCain ’08 presidential campaign and at the Republican National Committee. A native of Minnesota, McLaughlin has a degree in Public Relations from the University of St. Thomas and spent nearly a decade as an on-air radio reporter and morning show co-host in Minneapolis before starting a career in politics. McLaughlin and his wife Sarah have one daughter Eliza.
NRSC Press Release
11/20/14
Magnolia Tribune
