COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA –  The South Carolina Republican Party announced today that Steve Michael and Leighton Gray Smith have been hired as the first members of the SCGOP’s Victory 2020 Team. Steve will serve as the SCGOP’s Chief Victory Strategist, and Leighton Gray will take the lead as the 1^st District Victory Director. Their primary focus will be re-electing President Donald J. Trump, re-electing Senator Lindsey Graham, and ensuring that our Republican nominee defeats Joe Cunningham in the 1^st Congressional District.

Steve and Leighton Gray, in conjunction with the SCGOP, Trump campaign, and Graham campaign, will be focused on building out a grassroots army that can engage supporters and volunteers to support the entire GOP ticket. With the unprecedented early start – a full year before the election, the SCGOP and Graham campaign believe that we will have a well-organized operation that is miles ahead of the Democratic opposition. Additional staff members will join the Victory 2020 team next year.

“I am pleased to welcome Steve and Leighton Gray aboard as we prepare for victory in 2020. We have started our Victory program for the 2020 cycle earlier than in any previous year due to incredible opportunities and the importance of this election,” said SCGOP Chairman Drew McKissick. “Our tasks include re-electing President Trump and Senator Graham, defeating Joe Cunningham, and supporting our entire GOP team. We have put together a strong team that is already working hand-in-glove with the Graham campaign, Trump Victory, the RNC, the NRCC, and all of our Republican elected officials. We are excited about the prospects and look forward to celebrating more Republican victories in 2020.”

“I am excited to be joining a strong grassroots oriented team led by Chairman McKissick and Senator Graham. 2020 is going to be an important cycle, and we must start working now to ensure that we defeat Joe Cunningham and elect Republicans up and down the ballot. Leighton Gray and I will be doing all we can to ensure that we take back the 1st Congressional District and guarantee that Joe Cunningham is nothing more than a one term congressman.”
– Steve Michael, SCGOP Chief Victory Strategist

Background:

Steve Michael has been involved in winning campaigns across the country for over a decade. He previously served as Political Director of the Missouri Republican Party and Political Director for United States Senator James Lankford. Steve is a partner and the Chief Political Officer at Victory Enterprises and leads a nationwide political operation with hundreds of winning campaigns each cycle including statewide, federal and caucus campaigns. In South Carolina, he has advised the campaigns of Attorney General Alan Wilson, Congressman William Timmons and many others.

Leighton Gray Smith is a native of Hilton Head Island and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she earned her degree in Biological Sciences with Honors and Leadership Distinction. Leighton Gray has previously served on successful campaigns in both the Lowcountry and in Louisiana. When not in the office, Leighton Gray can be found cheering on the Gamecocks and hanging with friends on South Carolina’s great beaches.

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