Contact: Nathan Craft
media@scottwalker.com
Leaders of conservative movement, campaign veterans, and new faces make up growing team as governor prepares for 2018
[Madison, Wis.] – Governor Scott Walker today announced key members of his campaign leadership and staff ahead of his official 2018 re-election announcement, including Campaign Chairman Michael Grebe, Finance Committee Chairman Jon Hammes, campaign veterans, and new staff.
“I’m ready to keep moving Wisconsin forward, and I couldn’t ask for a better team to help me launch the fight for more bold conservative reform,” Gov. Walker said. “We’ve helped lead Wisconsin’s comeback, but there’s more to be done – it’s time for new levels of reform and more results for hard-working families.”
Mike Grebe will serve as Campaign Chairman, continuing his role from the 2014 campaign and building on his career as a trusted counselor and advisor to candidates across the state, Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and Republican National Committeeman for Wisconsin.
Jon Hammes, a Milwaukee philanthropist, businessman, and activist, will serve as Finance Committee Chairman. Hammes has served as an advisor and key fundraiser for multiple presidential campaigns as well as statewide campaigns in Wisconsin.
Joe Fadness, a long-time political advisor to the governor and former Executive Director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, will be Campaign Manager. Brian Reisinger, Vice President of Platform Communications and former Communications Director for the Ron Johnson campaign, will join as senior advisor.
Nathan Craft joins as Press Secretary after previously serving as Traveling and Deputy Press Secretary in the governor’s office. Chandler Swansen, former Finance Director for U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, will join as Finance Director, and Sawyer Olson, a Friends of Scott Walker staffer and former Republican Party of Wisconsin staffer, will serve as Operations Manager. Jordan Wileman, a former Republican Party of Wisconsin Regional Field Director, is serving as Scheduling Director.
The team also includes finance consultants Laura Gralton, a veteran fundraiser in the state, and Katie Schmidt, who previously served as Finance Director for the governor’s campaign.
Keith Gilkes, who has managed or overseen all of the governor’s successful races – including his historic 2012 recall victory – will again serve as General Consultant. Gilkes is founder of political consulting firm The Champion Group and president and CEO of Platform Communications.
R.J. Johnson, a partner at Johnson Jordahl, will once again serve as Senior Strategic Advisor, a role he has held for each of the Governor’s three successful statewide campaigns. Bill Eisner, President of Nonbox, who has produced the governor’s ads since his time as Milwaukee County Executive, will again produce TV and other paid media advertising.
The staff announcement comes as Gov. Walker prepares to kick off his 2018 re-election in early November. The governor released a campaign video and digital ad campaign on his intentions on Oct. 18, and a revamped ScottWalker.com on Oct. 25.
