Trump Pence Campaign Announces Staff Increase In North Carolina Team | Eastern NC Now

    RALEIGH, NC     The campaign of Presidential candidate Donald Trump announced a significant staff increase in the important battleground state of North Carolina. As the team continues to expand, integration with RNC operatives, already on the ground since 2013, will create a focused network of veteran senior and field staff.

"The continued expansion of our team in North Carolina, a key battleground state, shows the commitment the Trump Pence Campaign has made to putting this state in the win column come November," said new State Director Jason Simmons. He added, "by bringing in experienced operatives, the Trump team has dedicated resources to making this political staff one of the best in the country."

    Jason Simmons, previously a member of Governor Pat McCrory's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, recently assumed his duties as state director. Jason, a veteran of the US Army Reserves, received a master's degree in international studies from the University of South Carolina. He first moved to North Carolina in 2012 as a staff member of the Romney Campaign. He and his family resided in Morrisville.

    Serving as Deputy State Director, Taylor Playforth, a graduate of UNC-Wilmington, joined the North Carolina team in November of 2015. Prior to joining the Trump team, he worked as an operative on the 2014 RNC Victory Campaign for Senator Thom Tillis and the run-off election of Senator Bill Cassidy. Among other positions, Taylor was the Regional Field Director for RNC Deployment. He is a resident of Raleigh.

    Robert Bowes recently joined Team Trump as North Carolina Political Director. Previously, he served on the Trump Strike Teams during the primaries in NH, SC, TX, OH, WI, MD, WV, and NJ. He served as Vice President of JPMorgan Chase Financial Institutions Corporate Finance Division in New York from 1985 to 1992 and was CEO of Fund Commission Services, Inc. in New York from 1992 until 1995, when he became Treasurer of Buchanan for President, Inc. in McLean, VA. In 1996 Mr. Bowes became CFO of Hovde Capital, a leading merger firm for community banks and financial equities investment management based in Washington, DC. Mr. Bowes rejoined Pat Buchanan in 1999 and 2000 as Treasurer and National Finance Director while also leading the Reform Party takeover.

    Kirk Bell joins the North Carolina Team as Director of Communications. He is a native of Southern Pines, North Carolina and a graduate of the University of Alabama. Prior to joining Team Trump North Carolina, Kirk was Director of Regional Satellite and Radio Media for the Republican National Convention last July in Cleveland. Previously, he was Chief of Staff for US Congressman Pete Sessions and served on the legislative staff of the late North Carolina Congressman, Howard Coble. Kirk was also director of communications and press secretary for the New York gubernatorial campaign of Carl Paladino, worked in two previous presidential campaigns, and for various members of the US House of Representatives.

    Bethany Hudson, the newly hired Director of Coalitions, was born in Pittsboro, North Carolina. She attended the UNC-Wilmington where she was heavily involved in College Republicans, both at the university level, and through the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans. She worked for Americans for Prosperity as a Regional Field Coordinator in the Wilmington area during the 2012 election cycle. In early 2013, Bethany took a job as a legislative assistant for Representative Bob Steinburg in the North Carolina House. In 2014 she was elected and served as the president of the Wake County Republican Women's Club. Simultaneously, she served as a vice president of the North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans.

    Along with the above staff members, the North Carolina team has acquired new field operatives and will shortly announce the opening of campaign offices across North Carolina.

• Contact: Kirk Bell
•     kbell@donaldtrump.com