INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Republican Party announced today Jake Oakman has joined the senior leadership team as director of strategic communications.
“Jake has served our state in a number of important capacities, working alongside Governor Holcomb for years,” said Kyle Hupfer, chairman of the Indiana Republican Party and campaign manager of the governor’s reelection campaign. “We’re excited he’s joined the senior leadership team because there’s no one better suited to tell the Holcomb success story and outline the many reasons why the governor and our entire Republican team should continue to serve Hoosiers in the years ahead.”
Oakman is a veteran of two Republican gubernatorial administrations and has assisted on several campaigns. Most recently, he was special assistant to Governor Holcomb, serving as the governor’s main speech writer, liaison on international engagement and advised on all matters of the governor’s communications strategy. Prior to that, he was then-Lt. Governor Holcomb’s director of communications and media relations. Oakman has also served as deputy press secretary to former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, director of communications and media relations for the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and was communications coordinator for Todd Young’s 2010 primary campaign for the House of Representatives.
The addition of Oakman rounds out an experienced leadership team with a long track record of success.
Last month, Hupfer announced the Holcomb campaign’s hiring of Joe Elsener as deputy campaign manager and political director, Mindy Colbert as finance director and Matt Huckleby as deputy campaign manager. All three were members of Holcomb’s historic, 106-day campaign for governor in 2016.
The governor’s re-election is off to a strong start. Last week, the campaign announced that it had significantly surpassed the number of petition signatures required to be on the ballot in 2020. This was done faster than any campaign in recent memory and coincides with polling showing the governor’s approval rating above 60 percent. The governor has an organized, mobilized and energized team statewide that is working hard to make sure his record of Putting People First will continue for four more years.
In his new role, Oakman will be the media contact for issues related to the party. Holly Lawson ([email protected]) will continue to be the primary media contact for Eric Holcomb for Indiana.
Oakman’s email address is [email protected]. He begins his new duties this week. A headshot of Oakman is available here.
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