NRSC announces deputy political director for 2014 cycle

The National Republican Senatorial Committee announced Chelsea Hawker, a hire from the Republican National Committee, will serve as its deputy political director for the 2014 cycle.

"We are thrilled that Chelsea chose to join our NRSC team this cycle, her talents and expertise will be a key part of our mission to turn the Senate red," said NRSC Political Director Ward Baker.

Hawker formerly worked as deputy to RNC Political Director Rick Wiley and former RNC Chief of Staff Jeff Larson, a job that entailed managing the RNC Victory program's $100 million voter contact effort, across 12 battleground states. Hawker also worked at the RNC underneath Baker, who acted as liaison between GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's campaign and the committee for much of the 2012 cycle.

Before her time at the RNC, Hawker worked for Texas-based consulting firm Murphy Turner Associates, overseeing the budget and campaign activities for more than 50 clients, and prior to that, direct-mail firm Majority Strategies.

"Ward Baker continues to assemble the best political army in the business, and we are excited for Chelsea to join our team," said Brad Dayspring, NRSC communications director, of the new hire.

Republicans have an uphill battle to "turn[ing] the Senate red," as Baker put it, but with a number of Democrats in red states up for reelection this year, and a handful of Democratic retirements expected or already occurring, the NRSC has expressed optimism that the GOP can pick up the six seats it needs to regain the upper chamber.

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