Mike Shields named RNC chief of staff

Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus named Mike Shields chief of staff on Tuesday, the committee announced.

Shields takes the position while the Republican National Committee (RNC) conducts a study of what went wrong in the last election cycle. The study, the Growth and Opportunity Project, will pass its findings onto the committee in March. Priebus said Shields is "well-suited" to implement the study's findings.

"Mike brings a wealth of political experience with him to the RNC, having worked on the Hill and in the field, for national committees and at the state level. We’re excited to welcome him to the team as the RNC takes our positive message of opportunity to every voter in every neighborhood," Priebus said in a statement.

Shields previously served as the National Republican Congressional Committee's political director. He replaces Jeff Larson who will serve as a senior advisor for the RNC.

"I want to thank Jeff for his dedication and tireless work over the last two years," Priebus also said in the statement. "His leadership was instrumental in righting the ship at the RNC as we overcame a $25 million debt to break fundraising records, allowing us to give more support to our presidential nominee than in any previous election."

Shields said the RNC will work to improve its data capabilities in the next campaign cycle. He added that he was "thrilled" to take on the new chief of staff job.

"To position ourselves for 2016, we must leapfrog the Democrats’ digital and data capabilities," Shields said in a statement. "It’s absolutely essential for our party to be the leaders in campaign technology."

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