Phil Ammann
Brad Herold is exiting his post as Executive Director of the Republican Party of Florida to be campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis‘s Senate bid.
First reported by POLITICO Florida’s Matt Dixon, the RPOF has not yet announced Herold’s replacement or an interim director.
Herold, a former deputy state director in Marco Rubio’s Senate office, has served as RPOF executive director since May. His hiring was part of a widespread shake-up in the wake of the election of party Chairman Blaise Ingoglia.
In the 2014 election cycle, Herold managed Mike McFadden’s Senate campaign in Minnesota against incumbent U.S. Sen. Al Franken. He has also run campaigns for the RPOF and former Florida House Leader Adam Hasner, as well as holding positions in the administrations of both Gov. Rick Scott and former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford.
“Working for the Republican Party of Florida has been a great experience,” Herold told POLITICO. “I want to thank Blaise for the opportunity.”
Changes came in January after Ingoglia defeated Leslie Dougher, a party establishment favorite endorsed by Scott.
“Brad has played a vital role in our State Party’s preparation for the 2016 election,” Ingoglia said Saturday in a statement. “[He] has been an instrumental part of the dynamic team that continues to reform and expand our great party. We’re grateful for his hard work and want to congratulate him on his new role.”
In Florida’s Republican Senate primary, DeSantis faces U.S. Rep. David Jolly, businessman Todd Wilcox and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera.
Dixon writes that Herold’s role in the Senate race will be to help Republicans hold the seat vacated by Rubio, his former boss.
“And as the front-runner for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination,” Herold said. “Ron DeSantis is our best chance to do this.”
“Casey and I are excited to have Brad on our team,” DeSantis said in a statement. “Brad is an experienced manager and strategist who has a strong work ethic and deep Florida roots.”
DeSantis says Herold will help his campaign build a “grassroots network of thousands of Floridians who want to keep Americans safe from threats at home and abroad, shake up the status quo in Washington, and rescue the country from its current malaise.”
