Republican National Committee (RNC) chief of staff Richard Walters is leaving his post and will serve as senior adviser to party Chair Ronna McDaniel, Politico reported on Monday.
Walters, 32, was the committee's longest-serving chief of staff at four and a half years, and will leave his position Friday at the end of the RNC’s annual winter meeting in Salt Lake City, according to a source familiar with the plans.
He will be replaced by Mike Reed, who was named deputy chief of staff at the end of the 2020 election. He joined the RNC in 2017.
Walters had been expected to step down as chief of staff, particularly after the 2020 campaign, but was asked by party leadership to remain longer in order to help with the transition and groom Reed.
In his new position, Walters will concentrate on getting ready for the 2024 election, including preparing for the GOP national convention, primary debates and the party nominating process, according to Politico.
"The Republican Party, our committee members, our staff, and I personally owe Richard an enormous debt of gratitude," McDaniel said in a statement. "Richard has done an incredible job of strengthening and building our party, from record-breaking fundraising to our cutting edge data operation and everything in between."
McDaniel added, "I am thrilled that after nearly five years as chief of staff, Richard is staying on the team to oversee the long-term planning of the RNC, while Mike Reed will serve as the new chief of staff to help implement the party's strategy for victory in November."
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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