Hispanic woman named to GOP campaign post

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WASHINGTON, March 21 (UPI) -- A key campaign post of the National Republican Congressional Committee will be led by a female Hispanic, a double first, officials in Washington said.

NRCC officials said Joanna Burgos will direct the committee's independent expenditures arm, Roll Call reported Wednesday. Todd Johnson will be the IE research director and Trent Wisecup will consult on California races.

The announcement completes key staffing for the four congressional campaign committees.

"If the IE director doesn't possess great political judgment ... all your hopes are dashed, and your committee has raised millions of dollars for no reason," said Curt Anderson, a long-time Republican consultant who has run IE units twice. "It's a very high-stakes game."

Burgos, a communications professional from Miami, spent the past two election cycles as a top aide in the NRCC's media relations. She was lead strategist and national press secretary for the 2008 Republican National Convention.

"We'll have contrasting dynamics colliding in just one election with an unpopular president up for re-election, our economy still struggling, many members who are still new to their constituents and the ramifications of redistricting," Burgos said.

Wisecup's appointment indicates the importance Republicans are placing on California races, observers told Roll Call. His experience includes advising Arnold Schwarzenegger when he was California's governor, as well as advising former e-Bay Chief Executive Officer Meg Whitman's gubernatorial campaign, and consulting on re-election races for members across the country.

Johnson began his NRCC career as a research analyst for two cycles before becoming deputy research director in 2010.