Donald Trump’s presidential campaign could open a new office in Washington, D.C., as early as next week, according to the Associated Press.
The Republican presidential front-runner is reportedly looking for an available space near Capitol Hill where staffers will work to focus on the campaign’s delegate selection and congressional relations. Opening a Washington office would be the Trump campaign’s first major expansion beyond its current headquarters in New York City.
“It’s an acknowledgement that he’s the nominee: he’s the presumptive nominee,” Trump campaign adviser Barry Bennett said of the billionaire’s decision to open an office in the nation’s capital.
According to Bennett, having an office near the Capitol will provide Trump and his staff with more opportunities to foster a relationship with congressional lawmakers, many of whom are worried about the businessman’s candidacy and rhetoric.
“Having an office here in Washington and working with them every day will make it a lot easier to do that,” he said.
Trump reached out to congressional Republicans last week during a private meeting, hours before he delivered a speech at the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference in Washington.
The New York billionaire currently has 736 of the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination and is hoping to win a significant portion of the 42 delegates up for grabs in Wisconsin’s Republican primary next week.
