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Press Release: SCGOP announces Victory 2014 leadership and staff hires

South Carolina Republican Party announces Victory 2014 leadership and staff hires
Victory 2014 team boasts experienced grassroots organizers, political professionals

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Matt Moore today announced the addition of 13 staff members to the State GOP’s Victory 2014 team. Victory 2014 is the South Carolina Republican Party’s coordinated campaign to elect Republicans to local, state and federal office.

We are excited to announce a team of talented professionals who will lead us to victory on November 4th. The Victory 2014 team will activate thousands of volunteers statewide who will work tirelessly to elect our Republican ticket led by Governor Nikki Haley, Senator Lindsey Graham, and Senator Tim Scott,” said S.C. Republican Party Chairman Matt Moore.

Whether we’ve been announcing jobs in the Upstate and Lowcountry or visiting students and parents in the Midlands and at the beach, we’ve celebrated progress in every part of our state, and we’re making a difference – but we’re just getting started. Thanks to the hardest working Victory staff anywhere in the country, we’re heading into the fall with a team ready to make sure every voter in our state understands that the Republicans are delivering results for every part of our state and that the best is yet to come,” said Governor Nikki Haley.

I’m confident the Victory 2014 team will cover every corner of our beautiful state and remind voters that conservative leadership matters so much for the future of our state and nation,” said U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.

Our party has made incredible investments in technology and grassroots organizing that I know will pay dividends on November 4th. With the Victory 2014 team leading the charge, we couldn’t be more ready for election day,” said U.S. Senator Tim Scott.

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Kurt Pickhardt will serve as Victory’s Executive Director. Kurt is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. In 2010, Kurt served as the director of operations for the SCGOP. Prior to joining Victory, Kurt served as political director for the Nikki Haley for Governor campaign, as political analyst at a national consulting firm, and as state political director for Tim Pawlenty for President.

Tyson Grinstead will serve as Victory’s Political Director. Tyson is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to joining Victory, Tyson served as political director for Senator Lindsey Graham’s 2014 campaign and as political director for Tom Rice for U.S. Congress.

Hope Walker will serve as State Field Director. Hope is a graduate of Newberry College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a double minor in History and Spanish. Hope currently also serves as RNC State Director and has previously served as SCGOP Political Director and Member Services Director.

Kristen Beckham will serve as a Regional Field Director. Kristen is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and the University of Georgia with a Master of Business Administration. Kristen has public and private sector experience in campaigns, fundraising, government relations, and business development.

Jordan Kay will serve as a Regional Field Director. Jordan is a graduate of Wofford College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics and a minor in Government. Jordan has been active in state politics since his time in college, where he interned in Governor Nikki Haley’s office, with the state party, as well as in Washington D.C where he interned for U.S. Senator Tim Scott.

Giff Carpenter will serve as Aiken Director. Giff is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and minor in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Business Economics and Finance. Prior to joining Victory, Giff previously interned with campaigns in South Carolina including Governor Haley’s re-election campaign and Henry McMaster’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

Carri Fuge will serve as Beaufort/Hilton Head Director. Carri is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. Prior to joining Victory, Carri worked for Congressman Mark Sanford and U.S. Senator Tim Scott.

Elizabeth Saady will serve as Charleston Director. Elizabeth is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications. Prior to joining Victory, Elizabeth worked as an intern, finance assistant, and office manager for U.S. Senator Tim Scott.

DeLinda Ridings will serve as Columbia Director. DeLinda is a graduate of Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs and Political Science. Prior to joining Victory, DeLinda served as campaign manager for Sally Atwater for Superintendent of Education and a as regional field director for Newt Gingrich for President.

Cody Gentry will serve as Greenville Director. Cody is a graduate of the Citadel with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. Prior to joining Victory, Cody worked as an intern for Senator Lindsey Graham’s campaign in Charleston and served as campaign manager for Representative Donna Hicks Wood in State House District 37.

Mallory Morris will serve as Myrtle Beach Director. Mallory is a graduate of Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Prior to joining Victory, Mallory served as a field representative for U.S. Senator Tim Scott during his primary re-election campaign.

Joe St. John will serve as Rock Hill Director. Joe attended Lancaster Bible College. He was Governor Mike Huckabee’s statewide grassroots coordinator during the 2008 First-in-the-South Republican Presidential Primary. Prior to joining Victory, Joe worked on Senator Lindsey Graham’s 2014 primary campaign.

Jordan Marsh will serve as Victory Digital Director. Jordan is a senior Political Science major at the University of South Carolina. Previously, he served on Senator Lindsey Graham’s re-election campaign.

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