(Updated to reflect announcement as anticipated with a quote from GOP chairman)
The Kansas Republican Party on Thursday announced that executive director Jim Joice is stepping down to take a job on Capitol Hill.
Joice is expected to leave state the party at the end of the year to take a job as the communications director for 2nd District Congressman-elect Steve Watkins. Joice is expected to start his new job Jan. 3.
The University of Kansas graduate became the state GOP executive director last April.
Joice previously had run Republican Mark Hutton’s unsuccessful campaign for governor this year.
He also had worked as a legislative aide for Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning and served as a field director for outgoing Republican Congressman Kevin Yoder.
“Bringing in an experienced strategist like Jim during a campaign year was essential to our winning election plan,” said Kelly Arnold, chairman of the Kansas Republican Party.
“He has been a valuable team member for the Republican Party and we are excited to see his talent will continue to benefit our 2nd District in D.C,” said Arnold, alluding to
Joice is leaving at a time when the state Republican Party is in transition.
Party chairman Kelly Arnold has decided not to seek a fourth term leading the state GOP and Republicans must devise a plan forward after losing the governor’s office and a congressional race in the Kansas City suburbs.
The party also will face the challenge of how to address the increasing number of moderate members of the party leaving to become Democrats.
The new party chair, who will be elected next February, will hire the new executive director.
