Veteran Republican Political Operative to Take the Helm of Team Barrett
COLUMBIA, SC – U.S. Congressman Gresham Barrett, candidate for Governor, today announced that longtime Palmetto State Republican political operative Luke Byars will serve as his campaign manager. Byars’ experience and well-respected reputation among grassroots activists and donors alike coupled with Barrett’s proven fundraising prowess and strong conservative credentials gives Team Barrett a shot of momentum heading in to the new year.
“There is no one I would rather have running my campaign than Luke Byars,” said Barrett. “He has a track record of success that speaks for itself, and his addition to our team gives us a boost as we move into a critical phase of the campaign.”
Byars, a native of Spartanburg, is no newcomer to South Carolina politics. Directly prior to joining the Barrett campaign, he served as U.S. Senator Jim DeMint’s state director. He has also successfully managed numerous campaigns in South Carolina including Dole/Kemp ‘96. From 2003 to 2005, Byars served as the executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party overseeing one of the most successful periods in the history of the state party.
At the national level, Byars served as the Deputy Director of Voter Programs for the RNC, and shared his insights at various campaign schools throughout the country. In 2006, Byars was named a National Journal political insider and participates in weekly political surveys and commentary for the magazine. All together, Byars has assisted more than fifty Republican campaigns during his twenty-two years of political experience.
“Simply put, Gresham Barrett is the most qualified and most prepared candidate to lead South Carolina’s economic turnaround,” said Byars. “As our next Governor, Gresham will lean on his years of experience in running a small business, serving in the U.S. Army, and leading at both the state and federal levels of government to unite individuals from all walks of life behind his conservative solutions for creating jobs and moving South Carolina forward.”
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