State GOP director out; more changes coming

Posted 7/02/2008 08:28:00 AM

Adam Feldman is out as executive director of the Republican Party of New Mexico after less than a year on the job.

Feldman left the job last week but remains “heavily involved in the field with our Republican candidates in New Mexico,” said Scott Darnell, the party’s communications director and now the interim executive director.

“He’s an expert at turning out the vote and at running campaigns, so he’ll be an incredibly important part of the statewide Republican effort this year,” Darnell said of Feldman. “His talents are geared toward that work, and as we enter into the crux of this campaign season… the (party’s) staff is simply undergoing some realignment.”

Darnell didn’t say whether Feldman quit or was fired. Feldman could not be reached for comment.

The GOP’s reshuffling isn’t done yet: Darnell is leaving his job in five weeks to begin work on a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University in Boston. After Darnell leaves, he said, “someone with great abilities will continue in the role throughout the remainder of the election.”

The decision on who to hire will be left to state Chairman Allen Weh, and it’s an important one: New Mexico is a swing state in the presidential race. The GOP is also charged with defending three seats in Congress without incumbents in November, and every state legislative seat is up for grabs.

Darnell said he is confident that the changes won’t hurt the GOP’s ability to compete.

“Our communications efforts will continue to be strong, our fundraising remains as strong as ever and will only improve, and our political operations are very aggressive and well-covered,” Darnell said. “We have a situation now where all of our Republican candidates, at all levels, are receiving the support necessary to win. The GOP in New Mexico is well-positioned going into this election.”

Feldman began working as the GOP director in August. During his more than 10 years working in Republican politics, he has worked on three U.S. Senate campaigns and served as President Bush’s West Virginia grassroots and volunteer coordinator in 2004.