Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christian Morgan
(913) 461-8681
Hi-Res Photo: Color | B&W
Republican Secretary of State Campaign is working to Clean up Kansas

Salina, Kans. -- J.R. Claeys, Republican candidate for Kansas Secretary of State, announced his campaign team today, which will include some of the top Republican strategists in the country.

The Claeys campaign team includes, Jeff Roe, Christian Morgan and Scott Paradise from Axiom Strategies. Morgan is a former Executive Director of the Kansas Republican Party and Paradise served as Political Director for Nick Jordan's 2008 Congressional Campaign.

Claeys' pollster is Chris Wilson, the founder of Wilson Research Strategies, one of the top Republican pollsters in the country. Michael McElwain will serve as the media consultant. McElwain is a former political director for the National Republican Campaign Committee. Patrick Feeney, founder of the Dublin Group and the top fundraiser in Kansas, will serve as the Campaign's finance consultant. (Detailed biographies for each member of the team are included below.)

Claeys began campaigning to 'Clean up Kansas' nearly one year ago and since has traveled to more than 60 Kansas counties, meeting voters and county officials who share his frustration with our Government's fiscal irresponsibility and wasteful spending habits.

"I've been absolutely humbled by the tremendous amount of support I've received from hundreds of Kansans over the past year that share my desire to 'Clean up Kansas'," Claeys said. "I'm excited to have top-notch talent advising my campaign as I work tirelessly to ensure we have a leader in Topeka that will stand up for small business and protect our vote."

At the last reporting period, Claeys had amassed $213,642.19 in campaign contributions - more than three times the cash-on-hand of his closest competitor. Kansas Republicans will elect their nominee for Secretary of State on August 3, 2010.

J.R. Claeys for Kansas Secretary of State Campaign Team

General Consultant: Axiom Strategies -

• Jeff Roe
  • Former Chief of Staff to Congressman Sam Graves and founder of Axiom Strategies.
  • Roe currently holds a 92% win record as one of region's top political consultants.
• Christian Morgan
  • Prior to serving as Executive Director of the Kansas Republican Party, Morgan served as Finance Director for Kris Kobach's 2004 Congressional Campaign and managed Jim Barnett's 2006 Gubernatorial Campaign.
• Scott Paradise
  • Prior to serving as Political Director for Nick Jordan's 2008 Congressional Campaign, Paradise worked on several Kansas Congressional Campaigns.

Pollster: Wilson Research Strategies -

• Chris Wilson
  • Since its founding in 1998, Wilson Research Strategies has conducted over 3,000 research engagements in numerous countries around the world. Over the past few years, WRS has become one of the top two Republican polling firms in America.

Media Consultant: Dawson, McElwain, McCarthy -

• Michael McElwain
  • Former Political Director at the National Republican Congressional Committee (N.R.C.C.) Additionally, McElwain has consulted for multiple high-level Congressional campaigns, including Chris Lee (NY-26), Erik Paulsen (MN-3) and Nick Jordan (KS-3).

Finance Consultant: The Dublin Group -

• Patrick Feeney
  • With over 19 years of experience, Feeney has established himself as one of the region's top fundraisers. Dublin Group clients include Congresswomen Lynn Jenkins, Congressman Todd Tiahrt, Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh and Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe.

PHOTO: Official Campaign Photo (Hi-Res)

ABOUT J.R. CLAEYS
J.R. Claeys is a fifth-generation Kansan born and raised in Salina, Kans. He is seeking the Republican nomination for Kansas Secretary of State in the primary election on August 3, 2010. Claeys graduated from Kansas State University, worked as a fundraiser for the Repubican National Committee and served as CEO of a major national business organization. He is a longtime volunteer and serves as a certified international elections observer. Claeys currently lives in Salina and owns a small business that helps nonprofit organizations with their fundraising efforts. Continuing his commitment to Republican causes, Claeys serves on the executive board of the Kansas Young Republicans. For more information, visit www.JRClaeys.com.