Brownback-Iowa Organization

Sam Brownback-Organization, Iowa
updated October 18, 2007

BROWNBACK FOR PRESIDENT (announced Jan. 20, 2007)
BROWNBACK FOR PRESIDENT, EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE (filed papers with the FEC on Dec. 4, 2006)
Headquarters: 2700 University Ave., Suite 206, West Des Moines (from March 2007, Brownback officially opened May 25...4,000 square feet)
Ames Office: 526 Main Street, Ames (Brownback at grand opening on June 21, 2007; closed after the Iowa Straw Poll)

Iowa Political Director Jay Heine

[Heine is de facto State Director] Graduate of Briar Cliff University, 1996. Native of Hartington, NE.

Regional Field Director Devon Gallagher

Has worked at the RNC and the U.S. Department of Education.

National Grassroots Director Jason Jones

Previously media director for Human Life International, "the world’s largest international pro-life organization." Director of Hawaii Right to Life. Chairman of the Hawaii Young Republicans and worked as chief of staff to State Rep. Mark Moses. Graduate of the University of Hawaii; formed the Pro-Life Student Union and was chairman of Young Americans for Freedom-Hawaii.

Iowa Caucus Director Billy Valentine

(started in Des Moines May 14, 2007; initially communications aide) Prior to joining the campaign Valentine served as Chairman of Students for Brownback. He is a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville majoring in legal studies major with a human life studies minor. Chairman of College Republicans, founder of the Ronald Reagan Society of Conservatives, an ISI group, and general manager of Franciscan's student newspaper. From Alexandria, Virginia.

Communications Director John Rankin

Press secretary for the Joint Economic Committee, Feb.-May 2007. Press secretary in Brownback's Senate office, Sept. 2005-Jan. 2007. Worked radio for the Senate Republican Conference, June 2004-Aug. 2005. Graduate of St. John's College in Santa Fe, NM, 2002.

Intern: Monica M. Brown

Iowans for Brownback Leadership Committee
(titles for identification purposes only)
Chuck Hurley (Des Moines)
(original member of exploratory committee) President of the Iowa Family Policy Center. Former state representative (represented Fayette County and surrounding from 1991-96). Classmate of Brownback's at University of Kansas law school and at Kansas State Univ. where both studied agriculture..

Kevin McLaughlin (Des Moines)
(Dec. 21, 2006) Has worked in the financial services and investment industry for 30 years. In 2003, McLaughlin co-founded Iowans for Discounted Taxes. Iowa Vice Chair for Steve Forbes' 2000 caucus campaign; Polk County Chair for Forbes' 1996 presidential bid. Active in politics since 1977. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa.

Kim Lehman (Johnston)
(Jan. 4, 2007) President and executive director of Iowa Right to Life, started there as executive director in 2000. Previously state director for Concerned Women for America.

Don Lamberti (Ankeny)
(announced as a member of the Iowa Steering Committee on July 13, 2007) Founder and former Chairman and CEO of Casey's General Stores. The convenience store chain, started in 1959, owns and operates over 1,400 stores in the upper Midwest.

Faith and Family Leadership Committee (over 50 Iowa leaders announced July 9, 2007)
Chairman: Chuck Hurley of Des Moines

Iowa Catholics for Brownback (more than 140 members announced July 19, 2007)
Chairman: Don Lamberti of Ankeny

Homeschoolers for Brownback Coalition (announced July 23, 2007)
Chairs: Mark and Marie Scherbaum of Marion

Taxpayers for Brownback (announced July 26, 2007)
Chairman: George Davey of Des Moines

Moms for Brownback Coalition (steering committee of 50 members announced July 26, 2007)
Chair: Maria Maher of State Center

Iowa Pastors for Brownback Advisory Council (announced July 30, 2007)

Iowa Vietnamese for Brownback Coalition (announced Aug. 1, 2007)
Chairman: Toan Tran of Des Moines

announced Aug. 3, 2007:
endorsement of State Senator Nancy Boettger (District 29-Harlan)

announced May 22, 2007:
endorsement of State Senator Mark Zieman (District 8-Postville)

announced Feb. 26, 2007:
Randy Crawford of Johnson County—Republican activist

Tim Frank of Clay County—campaign manager for Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in 2006

Chris Hagenow of Polk County—Republican activist

Michelle Howe of Linn County—pro-life activist

Jon Jacobsen of Pottawattamie County—TS Bank, Republican official

Rev. Dr. James Lamb of Story County—pastor

Dan Logan of Scott County—Logan Photography, Republican official

Mary Ann Logan of Scott County—pro-life activist

Larry Morris of Dallas County—Financial Architects

Ellen Markham of Dubuque county—pro-life activist

Matt Rassmussen of Linn County—attorney and Republican activist

Dr. Troy Scheuerman of Van Buren County—chiropractor

Denise Shannon of Jasper County—businesswoman and Republican activist

Luana Stoltenberg of Scott County—pro-life activist

Nick Wagner of Linn County—Republican official

Phil Wieseler of Woodbury County—computer tech. and Republican activist

Dr. Jerry Yancy of Des Moines County—physician

former

2nd CD Regional Field Director Emma Nemecek

(announced March 14, 2007; left after the Straw Poll) Small business owner and is president and CEO of Music 2 Link US Productions, Inc., in Mount Vernon. Ran for the Iowa House of Representatives against Ro Foege (District 29) in 2006. Chair of the Iowa chapter of the National Federation of Filipino American Republicans and former president of the Cedar Rapids Filipino American Association. Nemecek is also a member of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women. Came to the United States in the post-Marcos period. B.S. in Management from Colegio de San Agustin in the Philippines. Filipino native, born into poverty in Basilan City, Philippines.

Coalitions Director Aaron Mercer

(returned to Senate office after the Straw Poll) Experience includes legislative assistant to Sen. Brownback. Graduate of Cedarville University in Ohio, 2001. From Framingham, Mass..

1st CD Regional Field Director Ben Leifker

(left earlier in the summer) Graduate of University of Northern Iowa with a degree in political science. From Dubuque.

Iowa Field Director Trainor Walsh

(first reported on the KC Star's KC Buzz Blog; first Iowa staffer, Dec. 2006; left the campaign in June 2007) In Fall 2006 Walsh was a regional political director for Iowa Republicans' Legislative Majority Fund, overseeing 13 State House campaigns in eastern Iowa. In Fall 2005 he managed Robert Wittman's campaign for Virginia House of Delegates (99th District). Worked on state Rep. Bev Kilmer's 2004 congressional campaign in Florida. Worked on Rep. Jim Leach's 2002 re-election campaign. Graduate of the University of Iowa.