Team Brings Consistency, Experience to Governor’s Campaign
INDIANAPOLIS – The Eric Holcomb for Indiana campaign today announced top members of its campaign team, continuing the momentum sparked in July when Governor Eric Holcomb broke news that he’s running to serve Hoosiers for another four years.
They include Joe Elsener as deputy campaign manager and political director, Mindy Colbert as finance director and Matt Huckleby as deputy campaign manager. Each member of Governor Holcomb’s senior staff is returning to the campaign after working on his historic 106-day campaign in 2016, bringing with them invaluable experience serving on a statewide gubernatorial race.
“After witnessing what Joe, Mindy and Matt could do in 2016, I can’t wait to see the unstoppable fundraising and political operation they’re going to lead going into 2020,” said Kyle Hupfer, campaign manager of the Eric Holcomb for Indiana campaign. “They’re the best-of-the-best, and bringing them back for round two loads our team with the top talent, experience and consistency in leadership that will catapult Governor Holcomb to another four years of Putting People First.”
Joe Elsener – Deputy Campaign Manager and Political Director
Elsener is a seasoned leader in Indiana government and politics, bringing with him experience of working with a network of Hoosiers in each of Indiana’s 92 counties. He has worked on campaigns at every level, including executing a statewide field effort that successfully made more than 1.5 million phone calls and knocked on more than 70,000 voters’ doors in 2014. He served as the political director for Eric Holcomb’s U.S. Senate bid, and as the coalitions director for his historic gubernatorial run. Elsener most recently served as the director of intergovernmental affairs in the Office of Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb.
Elsener is a native of Marion County. A headshot is available here.
Mindy Colbert – Finance Director
Colbert is a top Indiana political fundraiser and owner of Colbert Consulting, LLC. Previously serving as the deputy finance director on Governor Holcomb’s 2016 campaign, Colbert brings more than 15 years of fundraising experience to the campaign. She has previously held roles as the executive director of an Indiana education reform organization and as director of political fundraising for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, where she raised funds for both the state and federal political action committees.
Colbert is a native of Tipton County, and also serves as the director of fundraising operations for the Indiana Republican Party. A headshot is available here.
Matt Huckleby – Deputy Campaign Manager
Huckleby is an experienced leader in Indiana politics, bringing with him a record of winning races and leading political teams. He has previously held roles as the district director and campaign manager for Congressman Larry Bucshon and as the political director for Mike Pence for Indiana. Huckleby served as the political director for Eric Holcomb’s historic gubernatorial run, and then joined the Indiana Republican Party to manage its internal operations, field operations and data analytics.
Huckleby is a native of Harrison County, and also serves as the executive director of the Indiana Republican Party. A headshot is available here.
Hupfer went on to highlight the confidence Governor Holcomb inspires, and how his volunteers, staff and supporters stick around for the long-haul.
“Governor Holcomb’s team-oriented approach brings people together,” said Hupfer. “Every member of the team, from our top staff to our supporters and our volunteers, knows that they’re a valuable part our mission of making Indiana the very best state in the nation to call home. That loyalty can be rare in politics today, but it comes naturally with a leader like Eric Holcomb.”
This campaign news comes as internal polling shows Governor Holcomb with an impressive statewide approval rating at 61 percent, including a 68 percent approval rating in Marion County, 67 percent approval rating in Indiana’s doughnut counties and 61 percent approval in the Chicago media market. This trend continues across ideological, geographic and racial demographics, and makes Governor Holcomb one of the nation’s most popular governors.
Additional staffing announcements will follow in the coming weeks.
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