WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Missouri native is a presumptive choice for a place the White House when President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated in January.
Katie Walsh, a Republican staffer for multiple campaigns at the local and national level, may serve as the deputy chief of staff to Trump’s named chief of staff and Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus. Multiple national media outlets have named her as a key member of Trump’s transition team, and others have named her as a likely deputy to Priebus.
Walsh has a long and deep resume in Republican politics for a 31-year-old. She currently serves as Priebus’ chief of staff for the RNC, but her previous work included working as an advisor to U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt in his 2010 Senate campaign and on Gov. Matt Blunt’s gubernatorial campaign in 2004.
She has also been the deputy finance director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Politics is also something of a family affair for Walsh. Her father, attorney Tom Walsh, served as treasurer for Attorney General-elect Josh Hawley’s campaign.
Former Gov. Blunt said that Walsh would be an asset in the White House.
“I have known Katie since 2004 when she helped me win my campaign for governor,” Blunt said. “She has the leadership skills and temperament to be a force for positive change in the federal government and in the White House.
“Katie understands the real concerns of Americans in the heartland. It is a perspective that is too often missing in Washington.”
Jack Oliver, a prominent Republican staffer and fellow Missourian, agreed with Blunt’s assessment.
“Katie is one of the superstars of the largest GOP victory in our lifetimes,” he said. “As the top aide to Chairman Priebus, her quiet leadership and focus on fundraising execution and utilization of data developed the ground game that helped lead to President-elect Trump’s victory. I saw unlimited potential and talent in her from the day I met her in 2000 and am honored to call her my friend.”
