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WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel announced additional key senior staff positions today, naming Juston Johnson as Political Director, Ryan Mahoney as Communications Director, Richard Walters as Finance Director, and Jeff Larson as Senior Advisor to the committee. These key aides join recently announced Chief of Staff, Sara Armstrong, as the RNC continues to build its senior staff for the 2018 cycle.
“The RNC is building the best team in politics as we prepare to win key races in 2017 and 2018,” said Chairwoman McDaniel. “Our political, communications, and fundraising departments are second to none and I’m thrilled to welcome Juston, Ryan, and Richard into their new positions. The RNC has been instrumental in two straight historic election cycles for Republicans and I’m delighted we have been able to assemble a team that puts the committee in a strong position to continue this success while also working to amplify President Trump’s message. I’m also pleased to welcome Jeff Larson back to the RNC and I’m confident his wealth of experience and institutional knowledge will help us build on our successes.”
Juston Johnson, Political Director
Johnson is a political veteran with extensive experience running statewide campaigns and political organizations. He ran winning campaigns in Wisconsin for Senator Ron Johnson in 2010 and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen in 2006. He has wide-ranging RNC experience with his roles as the Party’s National Field Director in 2012, Deputy Director of Political Education for the 2010 election cycle, and most recently as a Regional Political Director for the 2016 cycle. Johnson has also held various leading roles at state party organizations, serving as the executive director of the Florida Republican Party during Governor Scott’s re-election during the 2014 cycle and the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s Political Director.
Ryan Mahoney, Communications Director
Mahoney is a seasoned communications operative and takes over as Communications Director after serving as the RNC’s Deputy Communications Director during the 2016 election cycle. He was a Regional Press Secretary for the RNC during the 2012 election and oversaw all regional communications for the committee during the 2014 cycle. In 2014, Mahoney also spearheaded the RNC’s press efforts surrounding the committee’s site selection for the 2016 Republican National Convention. Prior to joining the RNC, Mahoney served as Communications Director for the Maryland Republican Party and held various positions in the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s communications and political departments.
Richard Walters, Finance Director
Richard Walters is a four year veteran of the RNC’s finance team that has consistently set new records for RNC fundraising. Walters previously served as RNC Regional Finance Director for the Northeast and Midwest. Prior to joining the RNC, he was part of the Mitt Romney for President and Romney Victory fundraising operations. Walters has fundraising experience for statewide campaigns and other national political organizations where he was responsible for exceeding multi-million dollar fundraising goals.
Jeff Larson, Senior Advisor
Jeff Larson recently served as a senior advisor to the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Prior to that, Larson served as the CEO to the 2016 Republican National Convention. In the 2014 cycle, Jeff was the director of the NRSC’s independent expenditure arm that helped win 9 senate seats. He returns to the RNC this cycle where he previously served as Chief of Staff during the 2012 presidential election. He has an extensive background as a businessman and political strategist. He served as the CEO of the 2008 Host Committee for the Republican National Convention. Earlier in his career, he was a campaign staffer for George H. W. Bush, a Regional Political Director for the RNC, and an advisor on both of George W. Bush’s presidential campaigns.
