JEFFERSON CITY – Friday, the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee (HRCC) is pleased to announce that Wes Sutton has been hired as Finance Director for the organization.
Sutton will replace Becky Willard, who is assuming a new role in national and state fundraising with Axiom Strategies, a leading Republican campaign strategy and consulting firm.
“We thank Becky Willard for her service and her efforts to prepare HRCC for a successful election cycle,” Speaker Todd Richardson said. “At the same time, we are very pleased to welcome Wes Sutton into this critical role and are excited about the energy and creativity he will bring to the organization.”
Sutton is no stranger to Missouri House Republicans and has assisted in fundraising efforts for two prolific Missouri Republican leaders: Speaker Richardson and Rep. Holly Rehder. A native of Sikeston, Missouri, he has served as an HRCC Regional Field Director and Field Representative in previous election cycles, and was the successful campaign manager for Rep. Rehder’s first election to the House in 2012. Sutton most recently served as a member of the Majority Caucus staff under Speaker Richardson.
“Wes Sutton is a talented up-and-comer in Republican politics,” House Majority Leader Rob Vescovo said. “He will be an outstanding addition to our HRCC team.”
Sutton will join Executive Director Robert Knodell and Political Director Casey Wheat on the HRCC professional staff.
“Wes is well-known and well-liked among many of our HRCC supporters, and he brings a forward-thinking skill set that will serve us well in a challenging election cycle,” Knodell said.
The role of Finance Director has traditionally been to lead and coordinate HRCC fundraising and donor relations efforts as well as strategic planning and budgeting for the organization.
Sutton was named to The Missouri Times Magazine’s 2017 list of “50 Political Pros You Need to Know”. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in Political Science, and is a proud Eagle Scout.
Rachael Herndon was editor of The Missouri Times until 2019. She also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. Herndon joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer. In 2019, she entered Missouri’s cannabis industry, co-founding Greenway Magazine.