Veteran Political Strategist Joins Ohio Republican Party as Executive Director

Release:

(Columbus) - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine announced on Tuesday that veteran political strategist Darren Bearson will join the party's administrative staff as executive director.

Bearson brings more than 15 years of party and campaign management experience to the position, having served in key leadership positions for the Republican National Committee (RNC), the White House and the Republican Party of Minnesota.
"Darren is one of the most talented and widely respected operatives in the nation, and we are incredibly fortunate to bring him to Ohio," said DeWine.  "He has an impressive record of service in state and national politics.  More importantly, he knows first-hand the critical role a party organization plays in supporting our candidates, party leaders and elected officials.  We have a lot at stake in the 2012 presidential election, and I look forward to working alongside Darren as we build a strong, well-funded party operation in Ohio that will lead us to victory."

During his tenure at the RNC, Bearson served as Regional Political Director for eight central states in the 2010 midterm elections, overseeing the development of statewide voter turnout programs and infrastructure plans.  He was responsible for managing 45 staffers in 32 regional offices and allocating $3.4 million in committee resources. 

Prior to joining the RNC, Bearson worked as executive director of the Republican Party of Minnesota, where he managed all day-to-day party operations, including 30 employees and a $12 million budget.  He also helped lead an operational restructuring effort that led the party out of $500,000 in debt to a $1 million surplus in less than two years.

Bearson previously worked in the Bush Administration as the White House Liaison to the U.S. Department of Energy, where he was responsible for coordinating policy issues, advising the Secretary of Energy and managing the personnel process for 130 presidential appointees to the department.  He also served as Associate Political Director in the White House Office of Political Affairs, where he managed relationships between the White House and political leaders in seven states, including Ohio.

Since 2009, Bearson has served as president of Compass Point Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in political, research and grassroots strategies for candidates, corporations and non-profit organizations.

Bearson has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University in New York.  He and his wife, Sonya, reside in Plymouth, Minnesota, with their two sons.  They are in the process of relocating to Ohio.

Will this be another know-it-all from out-of-state?  We shall see...