David Kochel, a former top adviser to Mitt Romney and an Iowa-based Republican strategist, is joining former Gov. Jeb Bush’s political team. The move puts Kochel in line to serve as Bush’s campaign manager, if the former governor decides to run for president.
Kochel’s move to Bush’s campaign was first reported by The New York Times on Thursday.
“David is one of the most talented state-based operatives in the nation and brings a different focus and different set of priorities to our effort to communicate Governor Bush’s focus on economic and social mobility,” Bush strategist Sally Bradshaw told the Times.
Kochel had served as an adviser to Romney for six years. Most recently, he served as a senior adviser to Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA). Kochel is moving to Miami in the spring.
“I really believe Governor Bush is the right person for the right time,” Kochel said. “He has a successful conservative record in Florida and I’d put that record up against anybody else’s.”
