RNC & Ohio Republican Party Work to Grow the Party in Ohio

One year ago this week, the Republican National Committee unveiled its Growth and Opportunity Project to expand and strengthen Republican engagement across the country. The Growth and Opportunity Project took input from over 52,000 people to generate a more effective way to connect with voters and grow the Republican Party. Based on these recommendations, a permanent, nationwide, and diverse field operation is being implemented.

"The RNC will continue to build on the foundation we've laid over the past year," said RNC chairman Reince Priebus. "Thanks to our efforts after the Growth and Opportunity Project, our candidates should have more tools and resources at their disposal this year than ever before--to contact more voters and make real connections. That's not the only thing it takes to win, but it's a critically important part."

Previously, the Ohio Republican Party, working with the RNC, announced the hiring of a State Director and six permanent field directors stationed throughout Ohio. Since then the Ohio Republican Party and RNC have added two African American Strategic Initiatives Directors, Jeffery Pastor and Brian Barnes. Pastor was previously a School Community Coordinator and classroom teacher at Cincinnati Public Schools, and has been a financial analyst to Inter-Faith Organizations since 2005. He began working in this month. Barnes spent five years in minority business development at the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Barnes focused on growing the size, scale and infrastructure of African-American and Hispanic owned enterprises (MBE) with annual revenues of at least $2.5 million in a 16 county area of Northeast Ohio. He began in October.

"We are very excited about the work that Brian and Jeffery are doing," said ORP Chairman Matt Borges. "Republicans in Ohio have a proud history of diversity and a good message for all Ohioans. We are working to increase opportunity, grow jobs, and ensure that all children, regardless of zip code, have access to a good education."

The Ohio Republican Party also announced it has hired a new Coalitions Director, Jen Thrasher. She began work this week. Jen was previously the Political Director of the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County, was campaign manager for Congressman Bill Johnson's 2010 campaign that ultimately unseated incumbent Charlie Wilson, and worked for Attorney General Mike DeWine. She takes over for Susan Waidner, who is now the ORP Finance Director.