Rick Perry has tapped a Washington fundraiser to handle outreach to conservatives as he expands his political operation in anticipation of a presidential bid.
The former Texas governor last week hired Erin DeLullo as his coalitions director, Perry adviser Jeff Miller confirmed. DeLullo will serve Perry’s political action committee, RickPAC, on a contract basis. DeLullo has primarily raised money for conservatives and Tea Party-affiliated Republicans. She is a PAC fundraiser who specializes in connecting candidates with conservative organizations, such as the Club for Growth, willing to contribute to Republicans who challenge incumbents.
DeLullo’s close relationships with prominent conservative operatives and advocacy groups should help Perry build inroads with grassroots Republicans whose support can be crucial in a GOP presidential primary. Ken Cuccinelli, DeLullo’s client during his successful bid for Virginia attorney general in 2009, complimented the hire and said she will help ensure that Perry gets face time with the conservative insiders capable of influencing votes and on-the-ground support.
“This is not new to her; she’s not starting from scratch,” Cuccinelli said Friday during a brief telephone interview.
DeLullo’s past clients include Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who also is considering a presidential bid. DeLullo advised Cruz during his 2012 Senate primary against then-Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the GOP Establishment favorite in that race. In 2006, DeLullo helped Ken Blackwell win the Republican gubernatorial primary in Ohio. Current clients include Rep. Dan Benishek, R-Mich., and the Weyrich Awards Dinner, an annual marquee gathering of conservative leaders.
Perry is the only contender for the GOP’s 2016 nomination who ran in 2012. He entered that race late but was immediately considered a frontrunner who had the conservative credentials and governing chops to block former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney from the nomination. He finished poorly, however, after stumbling in the primary debates.
Perry is intent on redemption. He left office in January after 14 years as Texas governor, but has been studying up on domestic and foreign policy for two years, eyeing the 2016 primary debates for a shot to prove to Republican voters that none of his competitors combine his level of executive experience and policy expertise. The first debate is scheduled for Aug. 15 in Cleveland, the site of the 2016 nominating convention.
Between now and then, Perry is looking to resuscitate an Image and political standing that took a huge hit in 2012. The governor’s conservative bona fides are attractive. But with a deep field of contenders that includes sitting and former governors and formidable senators, his challenge is convincing the party that he is the future of the GOP. Assembling a capable political team, though generally only of interest to party insiders, is a necessary part of positioning a candidate to be successful in the campaign.
Perry’s senior advisers at RickPAC include Miller, who previously worked for then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, and veteran Perry political counselor Rob Johnson. Blackwell, who serves on the board of the National Rifle Association and the Club for Growth, suggested that DeLullo might come in handy as Perry solicits political contributions from the conservative donor community.
“There’s probably nobody better in country at connecting conservatives with conservative donors — particularly high-end donors — outside of their home base,” he said. “She’s well connected.”
