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DSCC ANNOUNCES KEY HIRES

 The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee today is announcing a number of key hires for the 2016 election cycle.

“This is an experienced team with a long history of winning incredibly tough races,” said Senator Jon Tester, Chairman of the DSCC.“I’m excited that we have been able to attract the top talent our party has to offer for the 2016 cycle—a cycle that will be about Democrats going on offense. I know they understand what it takes to build strong campaigns and are ready for the challenge of winning back the majority.”

Tom Lopach will serve as Executive Director and returns to the DSCC after serving as Chief of Staff to Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) since February 2010. Under Tester, Tom oversaw a staff of forty, as well as the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Subcommittee on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Programs and the Federal Workforce. Lopach was part of the team that helped Senator Tester win a successful re-election in 2012 and prior to joining Senator Tester’s staff Lopach served as Vice President of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Export Import Bank of the United States. From 2007-2008, Tom led the fundraising effort of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee as the National Finance Director. During that cycle the DSCC set fundraising records and ultimately brought Democratic control of the Senate to 59 seats. From 1999-2006 he worked for Senator Edward M. Kennedy in various capacities.

Preston Elliot will serve Deputy Executive Director and returns to the DSCC after most recently serving as Campaign Manager for Senator Kay Hagan’s 2014 re-election campaign. Elliott served as Campaign Manager for U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s tough but ultimately successful re-election campaign in Montana in 2012. In 2010, Elliott was the Coordinated Campaign Director for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s re-election, a contest in which Reid overcame incredible odds to stun the political establishment that had written him off. In that role, Elliott oversaw the field operation and turnout efforts that are credited for Reid’s victory. In 2008, he worked as Deputy Political Director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Christie Roberts will remain at the DSCC as Director of Research and Strategy. Roberts spent last cycle as the Deputy Research Director, and then Research Director at the DSCC. Before 2014, Roberts served as the Research Director for Senator Jon Tester’s successful re-election campaign in Montana. She worked at the DSCC as a Research Associate in 2010 and for Tom Allen’s Senate race in Maine during the 2008 cycle.

Valerie Chraca Friedman will return to the DSCC and serve as National Finance Director. Chraca Friedman has run her own consulting firm, the Chraca Friedman Group, for the past three years. During the 2012 cycle, Valerie also served as National Finance Director for Senator Jon Tester’s re-election campaign, and as a consultant for President Obama’s re-election campaign. From 2008-2010, Valerie worked at the DSCC, serving as Deputy National Finance Director with a focus on the South and Midwest regions. Valerie has also worked for Bill Richardson’s Presidential campaign, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Joe Leiberman’s Presidential campaign.

Justin Barasky will remain at the DSCC as Communications Director after serving as National Press Secretary and then Communications Director during the 2014 cycle. Barasky previously served as Communications Director for Senator Sherrod Brown’s successful re-election campaign in 2012, Press Secretary for Senator Harry Reid, then Rapid Response Director for his 2010 re-election, and as aide to Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Congressman Charlie Wilson, and Ohio State Supreme Court Justice Bill O’Neill.

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