Senate GOP promotes from within for ’16 campaign operation

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is promoting a pair of top operatives from its successful 2014 campaign to run the organization, with Ward Baker moving up to be executive director and Kevin McLaughlin becoming his deputy.

{mosads}Baker, a hard-charging former Marine, served as political director for the committee in 2014 and helped the committee work with the Republican National Committee to build out a field operation to rival Democrats’ and help the party pick up eight seats and counting to win a Republican majority.

“Ward Baker is uniquely prepared to serve as executive director of NRSC,” incoming NRSC Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said in a statement. “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.”

The affable McLaughlin served as a senior adviser to the NRSC last cycle, helping to coach and train Republican candidates to be prepared for high-pressure campaigns and media scrutiny. Senate Republicans largely avoided the major gaffes that had plagued them in the two previous cycles.

“I am equally pleased that Kevin McLaughlin will continue to stay on at NRSC in his new role as deputy executive director,” Wicker continued in his statement. “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.”