RNC Hires Director of Evangelical Outreach
In an attempt to better connect with faith-based groups, the Republican National Committee has reportedly hired a director of evangelical outreach.
CNN reports that Chad Connelly, who was the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party until this past weekend, will assume the position. Although details about the job have not yet been released, Connelly reportedly told several South Carolina Republicans that he will head up the GOP's outreach to faith-based groups.
Connelly is an author, motivational speaker and consultant. He also serves as the chairman of the Board for Newberry Academy and is a Sunday school teacher, deacon and church council chairman at First Baptist Church in Newberry, S.C., according to his website.
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"I feel blessed and excited about the new opportunities this role at the RNC will bring," said Connelly in a recent statement. "My time as Chairman of the SCGOP has been a rewarding experience and I want to thank all of those who helped our party thrive. We've made great strides in South Carolina over the past few years and I'm confident that I leave the party in very capable hands to build on the successes we've had. The RNC is implementing new and bold ideas to expand our party and I'm thrilled to join the team. I'll be on board full time and will be able to relay the details very soon."
Connelly became chairman of the SCGOP in May 2011. In his first year he led the largest presidential primary in the state's history, according to his website, with 600,000 Republicans participating. The SCGOP also hosted three nationally televised presidential debates under his leadership, the most in the state's history.
Connelly will be replaced as the state chairman by Matt Moore, who has been the state director for U.S. Senator Tim Scott since January and formerly served as the executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party in 2011 and 2012.
The RNC's decision to hire Connelly fulfills one of the recommendations made by its "Growth and Opportunity Project," a review of the 2012 election cycle meant to help the party grow and improve in its campaigns. The document recommended, among other things, the hiring of a "faith-based outreach director to focus on engaging faith-based organizations and communities."
An RNC spokesperson told The Christian Post via email that Connelly isn't giving interviews yet.
