Presley campaign for governor announces staff hires

Brandon Presley’s campaign for Mississippi governor has announced numerous senior staff hires.

In a statement, Presley said, “As the youngest mayor in Mississippi history, I cut taxes, balanced the budget, and got Nettleton moving again, and as Public Service Commissioner, I delivered broadband to the most rural parts of our state, voted against rate hikes more than any other commissioner in state history, and stopped boondoggles like the Kemper power plant that would have wasted millions of taxpayer dollars. I’m thrilled to announce our senior campaign team members whose expertise will be critical to sending Tate Reeves packing so Mississippi can finally take on corruption, extend Medicaid for 220,000 working Mississippians, and improve public education. With my record and these talented and battle-tested individuals, our campaign is in an even stronger position to shock the world this November so we can build a Mississippi that serves working families, not the special interests.” 

Brandon Presley for Mississippi’s campaign senior staff – who are based in the commissioner’s hometown of Nettleton (pop. 1,906) – includes the following:

• Ron Owens, Campaign Manager: Ron is a veteran of targeted campaigns who knows what it takes to win tough races. Most recently, he served as Political Director for Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s campaign and helped drive the governor to a historic 11-point victory and flipped the Michigan state legislature. Prior to Whitmer’s reelection campaign, Ron served in her executive office and on her 2018 campaign, in the Democratic Leader’s office in the State House of Representatives, and on several Michigan campaigns.
• Jared Turner, Senior Advisor: Jared is a native of Tupelo and a graduate of the University of Mississippi who got his start working as a Political and Field Director and Fundraiser and since has worked on several municipal, federal, and judicial races. He opened a political consulting firm and worked across the state and country, fighting for working families. Jared lives in Jackson with his wife and two kids, where he is active through his church, social and civic engagement organizations, and family.
• Greta Presley, Operations Director: Greta, Brandon’s sister, is a 30-year career professional in administrative management, most recently with an extensive career in the healthcare industry, where she oversaw and managed scheduling, event logistics, vendor relationships, and various communications. She is returning home to her and Brandon’s hometown of Nettleton to serve as Operations Director for the campaign.
• Shalonda Spencer, Political Director: Shalonda has over a decade of experience in public service, having worked on several campaigns in Mississippi and in non-profits focusing on public and foreign policy issues as a government relations and national security professional. Shalonda is a two-time graduate student at Jackson State University and a native of Columbus.
• Michael Beyer, Communications Director: Michael most recently worked as a Senior Communications Advisor at the Ohio Democratic Party, where he led GOP Senate primary response and served as the on-the-record spokesman for anti-Vance communications. He has worked on several gubernatorial races in New Hampshire and at the Democratic Governors Association, helping to re-elect Gov. John Bel Edwards and elect Gov. Andy Beshear. 
• Abby O’Keefe, Organizing Director: Abby most recently worked as a Deputy Organizing Director at the Michigan Democratic Party and previously held organizing positions in Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, and Oklahoma.
• Isaac Lampner, Finance Director: Isaac has worked as a fundraiser in Ohio and an organizer in Michigan, most recently serving as the call time manager for Tim Ryan’s fundraising program, which raised a record-breaking $58M, the most of any U.S. Senate campaign in Ohio. 
• Jake Laves, Digital Director: Jake most recently worked as a Deputy Digital Fundraising Director on Stacey Abrams’ 2022 gubernatorial campaign, which raised a record-breaking $38 million online, more than any gubernatorial campaign in Georgia history. Before that, he held positions at New Blue Interactive, the DLCC, and the Texas Democratic Party. 
• Shawn Patterson, Research Director: Shawn worked at the West Virginia Democratic Party, where he helped to re-elect Senator Joe Manchin in an R+42 state. He most recently worked as a Regional Research Director at the DCCC, where he led research on congressional races in frontline races in Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, and Nebraska. Shawn previously held research positions at the DSCC, where he worked on races in Arizona, Georgia, and New Hampshire that were critical to flipping the Senate in 2020.