Mitch Perry
Justin Grabelle, former chief of staff to retiring U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent, revealed on Tuesday his campaign team for his Congressional District 11 run to get a jump on replacing Nugent, who won’t seek re-election next year.
Here’s the lineup:
Nick Catroppo, campaign manager: Most recently, Catroppo was deputy chief of staff for Nugent. Additionally, Catroppo was Nugent’s campaign manager and district staff representative. Prior to joining Nugent’s office, Catroppo was deputy chief of staff for Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly of CD 13, as well as campaign manager during his successful 2014 special election. He is from Brooksville
Caroline Engeman, deputy campaign manager: Engeman started her political career in Nugent’s Washington, D.C., office, where she was legislative correspondent and scheduler. Engeman grew up in Winter Park, and graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s in Event Management.
Pat Bainter and Joel Searby, general consultants: Gainesville-based Data Targeting is a leading national consulting firm that continues to build on nearly three decades of success with clients in 13 states. Data Targeting handles strategic direction, data, polling, digital, direct mail and other campaign needs for clients, to deliver strategic council and contribute to winning local, statewide and national campaigns.
Sarah Bascom, communications director/spokeswoman: Bascom, a long-time GOP communications consultant and president of Bascom Communications and Consulting LLC, has been spokeswoman and communications consultant for numerous candidates, including Jolly; state Sens. John Thrasher, Joe Negron, John Legg, Rob Bradley, Aaron Bean and Travis Hutson; and state Reps. Doug Holder, Travis Cummings and Paul Renner. Additionally, Bascom was spokeswoman for the late Senator Jim King’s campaign and family for more than eight years, and his communications director during his Senate presidency.
Josh Sharp, media strategist: Sharp is an award-winning producer, editor and media strategist who works at the cross-section of traditional and digital advertising as a partner at Harbinger Outreach. In the 2012 presidential cycle, Sharp led the creative advertising efforts at the Republican National Committee, and previously worked for the House Republican Conference and The Stevens & Schriefer Group, producing advertising for campaigns and causes at the local, statewide, and national level.
Matt Hall, media strategist: Hall brings nearly a decade of high-level campaign operations experience. Prior to founding Harbinger Outreach, an events and marketing firm, in 2013, Hall worked in campaign operations for three presidential campaigns and the White House, in addition to multiple local and statewide races. Hall is a Florida native.
Republican U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster, who is being redistricted out of his CD 10 seat, has made noises in recent weeks about possibly running for the CD 11 seat.
