Headed to Sarasota on Saturday, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump staffed up in the Sunshine State on Tuesday as he readies to take on former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in their own backyard.
Having already named Karen Giorno as his director in Florida, Trump expanded his team on Tuesday. Trump named Jennifer Locetta as his deputy director in Florida while Ken Mayo will handle field operations. John Pughe was tapped as southeast regional field director and Craig Bachler will be Trump’s coalitions director in Florida.
"I have created thousands of jobs and own some of the most iconic assets in the state,” Trump said. “I love the people of Florida and I am proud to have such overwhelming support and a great staff in place. I look forward to visiting often and working with my team to share my vision to ‘Make America Great Again.'"
Locetta had been statewide data director for the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) and helped former Gov. Mitt Romney’s, R-Mass., efforts in Florida during the 2012 presidential race. A Navy veteran, Mayo has a lengthy background in politics and was manager of field operations in Florida for Americans for Prosperity (AFP) in 2012-2013. A former aide to state Rep. George Moraitis, Pughe had worked in community affairs for the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber Commerce. Bachler has helped out Gov. Rick Scott’s efforts and was in charge of field operations in Florida for former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum’s, R-Penn., bid for the Republican nomination in 2012.
Last month, Trump named RPOF Vice Chairman Joe Gruters, the chairman of the Sarasota County GOP, as one of his Florida co-chairs. Susie Wiles, a longtime Republican operative who was Scott’s campaign manager in 2010, is the other co-chair for Trump.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
