Chairman Richard Hudson Announces Senior Staff for 2026 Election Cycle
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson announced the senior staff for the 2026 election cycle as the Committee begins its work to protect and expand the Republican House majority.
“We have assembled a veteran team of operatives who will help lead our efforts to retain and grow our House majority. With this team, I’m confident we will be able to earn the trust of the American people once again as we work to deliver on President Trump’s mandate.” – NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC).
Micah Yousefi will be Executive Director after serving as Deputy Executive Director in the 2024 cycle and spearheading the successful hybrid advertising program. A Maryland native, Micah was the Deputy Director for the NRSC Independent Expenditure Unit for the 2022 cycle. Prior to that, Micah served as Policy and Political Director at Winning for Women. Previously, Micah served as Campaign Manager for Rep. Karen Handel, Women’s Engagement Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee, and as a legislative aide to Rep. Bill Shuster (PA).
Jack Pandol will be Deputy Executive Director. A native of Bakersfield, California, Pandol served as NRCC Communications Director during the 2024 cycle. Pandol previously served as the Communications Director for the Senate Leadership Fund, Western Regional Press Secretary for the NRCC, and as a campaign and official spokesman for three Members of the House of Representatives.
Theresa (Winegar) Vaccaro will be Political Director. She previously served as NRCC Deputy Political Director, where she helped lead the Committee’s political efforts in targeted districts nationwide and managed the Patriot Program. Vaccaro has over a decade of experience managing high-profile campaigns and political operations. In the 2022 cycle, she served as NRCC Northeast Regional Political Director where she oversaw the flip of five seats from blue to red. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of the New Jersey GOP and as Campaign Manager to several members of Congress.
Gina Miles will be Finance Director. As part of the 2024 NRCC team, she played a critical role in achieving record-breaking fundraising success. Before joining the NRCC, Gina founded a national fundraising firm, raising over $50 million for candidates and committees across the country. Her career also includes serving as a Senior Advisor on Nuclear Energy in President Trump’s 45th Administration, where she advanced energy independence policies, and as Chief of Staff to the Miami-Dade County School Board, managing a $4 billion budget for one of the largest school districts in the nation. Gina holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Jillian Davidson will be Research Director. Jillian served as the Deputy Director and Research Director for the NRCC’s Independent Expenditure unit in the 2024 cycle. Davidson’s research team was instrumental in flipping five Democrat-held seats and maintaining the House majority. Despite efforts, no TV ads were pulled off air. In the 2022 cycle, Jillian previously served as Research Director for the NRSC’s Independent Expenditure unit. Prior to that, Jillian led research teams at America Rising, providing opposition research to hundreds of clients in races ranging from local, state legislative, gubernatorial and the 2016 presidential election.
Will Kiley will be Communications Director. A Virginia native, Kiley most recently served as the official and campaign Communications Director and Senior Advisor for Rep. Nick LaLota (NY). Previously, Kiley served as Communications Director for Herschel Walker’s U.S. Senate campaign in the 2022 cycle and on the official and campaign staffs of Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA). Kiley is a graduate of James Madison University.
Ryan Dollar will be General Counsel. Ryan was previously at the NRSC, where he served as General Counsel for three cycles and Deputy General Counsel for one. Ryan is an election lawyer who has counseled campaigns, officeholders, and party committees for the last five election cycles. A native Texan, Ryan received his law degree from the University of Virginia and undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University.
Michael Murphy will be Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. A native of Fairfax Station, Virginia, Murphy is returning for his third cycle after previously serving as the deputy CFO. Prior to the NRCC, Murphy worked at Huntington Ingalls Industries and served as a Trustee on the University of Florida Board of Trustees.