Trump expands delegate operation with new hire

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has hired another senior strategist to assist his campaign with its full court press for delegates.

The Trump campaign on Monday announced the addition of former Republican National Committee chief of staff Ken McKay to its delegate operations team. McKay will join Trump’s convention manager Paul Manafort and senior political strategist Rick Wiley as they work to develop a more traditional campaign and court the 1,237 delegates Trump needs to win the nomination on the first ballot.

“Ken has a proven track record in winning state political races,” Trump said of McKay, who worked as an adviser to the 2010 gubernatorial campaign of Florida Gov. Rick Scott and served as campaign manager for former Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri in 2002 and 2006.

“He will support our delegate operations team and bolster our ground game efforts. He brings tremendous experience to the job, and I know he is up to the task of working with my team,” Trump added.

“I am very honored to have the opportunity to work with Mr. Trump and such a resilient campaign. There is no question that he is the presumptive nominee, and will unify our party to take back the White House in November,” McKay said in a statement released by the campaign.

Trump’s newest hire comes just 24 hours before the GOP front-runner competes for votes and delegates in five Northeastern states that are set to hold their primaries on April 26. His two opponents — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich — announced a plan late Sunday afternoon to keep Trump from reaching 1,237 delegates by strategically campaigning in certain states.

Related Content