John Edwards for President-Edwards Campaign Adding New State Director, Senior Staff and Advisor to Nevada

Edwards Campaign Adding New State Director, Senior Staff and Advisor to Nevada

Nov 5, 2007 4:57 AM

Las Vegas, Nevada – With almost two months left until the Nevada Caucus, the Edwards campaign is beefing up its senior staff.

The campaign is adding a new state director, a deputy political director and a new senior advisor to Nevada.

"Now that the Caucus is approaching it is time to strengthen our organization," David Bonior, Edwards' National Campaign Manager said. "We are bringing in experienced senior level staff who are familiar with key issues in Nevada and the West. Our strategy remains focused on the four early states, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina."

The new staff includes:

Oliver Gottfried, Edwards' Western Political Director, will be taking over as the campaign's new State Director.

Chris Chafe, who has served as senior advisor to campaign in charge of national labor outreach since June, will become senior advisor for Nevada.

Bryan Jung, Edwards' Assistant Political Director will become Deputy Political Director in Nevada.

Gottfried ran Southeast Iowa for Edwards during the 2003-2004 Caucuses before running the field program for the Tennessee Primary. This cycle, Gottfried has served as the Western Political Director and was involved in the building the campaign's Nevada operation.

Gottfried also served as the Deputy Political Director at the DSCC during the 2006 cycle, overseeing Senate seats gained in Montana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Chafe took leave of absence in May as Chief of Staff to UNITE HERE. Before serving as Chief of Staff he was the National Political Director and Executive Assistant to UNITE HERE President Bruce Raynor.

Jung has served as Assistant Political Director for the John Edwards campaign, managing political work in several western states and assisting in day-to-day operations in the campaign's political department. Jung oversees Asian American / Pacific Islander and Young America for Edwards outreach efforts

"Oliver has tremendous Caucus experience, particularly experience in Senator Edwards' impressive performance in Iowa in 2004. That experience is important in Nevada which is holding its first ever early Presidential Caucus. Oliver has worked closely with the campaign in Nevada since its beginning and has significant knowledge of western issues to go along with his experience organizing on the ground," Bonior said. "We are in excellent position to win Nevada with Oliver, Chris, Bryan and the additional resources we recently announced."

Last month, Bonior announced that the campaign would be enhancing its organization with the addition of about two dozen field organizers in Nevada and opening new offices, including one in Elko.

Still Deciding?

Video from Nevada

Excitement in Las Vegas and Reno

Danny Glover Campaigns for John

Discussing Health Care in Las Vegas

Nevada Carpenters Rally

Las Vegas Rally