The state Republican Party expects to formally announce later this week that St. Louisan Tina Hervey has been hired to be the party’s new communications director.

Hervey, who began work last Monday, previously had held a similar post with Gov. Matt Blunt’s now-defunct re-election campaign, said state party executive director Jared Craighead.

“We haven’t announced it yet, but we will shortly,” Craighead said Monday. A Republican blog made reference to Hervey over the weekend.

Hervey’s name began appearing on party press releases last Friday, although no explanation was given at the time. As a result, it was unclear whether Hervey was a temporary or permanent replacement to Paul Sloca, who left a few weeks ago.

Our own Tony Messenger recently had blogged about Sloca’s departure. Although the state GOP didn’t announce it, Craighead said that Sloca had told him on March 21 that he planned to leave to pursue other job opportunities.

Craighead said that he subsequently had gotten calls from other party activists recommending Hervey, who had returned to St. Louis when Blunt shut down his campaign operation after deciding against seeking re-election.

She also has worked previously for former Gov/Sen./U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, Craighead said.

The party had been low-key about Hervey’s return to Jefferson City last week so that she could ease into the job, Craighead added. “We’re letting her get her feet on the ground,” he said. “We’re happy to have her aboard.”

Hervey will spend part of her time in St. Louis, since the state party plans to focus a lot of attention here in the coming months, he said. St. Louis long has been the hub of state GOP fundraising, and is the home to the largest bloc of Republican votes (west St. Louis County and St. Charles County) outside of southwest Missouri.

UPDATE:

Here’s part of the Mo GOP release sent out early Tuesday:

 “Republicans in Missouri have an incredible three year record of accomplishment that includes turning a billion dollar deficit into a surplus, providing unprecedented increases in education funding for our students, record job creation and holding the line on job killing taxes,” said Craighead. “We are excited about Tina’s role in making sure that story is told.”

From Hervey: “I look forward to working with the media and our grassroots organizations to share with Missourians the remarkable record of accomplishment that Republicans in Missouri have achieved.”

“Ms. Hervey, 32, has spent the last 10 years working in Washington, DC.  Most recently, she worked at the US Department of Education, as the Deputy Director of Regional Services.  There she assisted with the direction of the Regional Affairs Unit by ensuring the implementation by the Regional Representatives of the Department’s outreach and communication goals and strategic priorities. 

“Prior to her job at the U.S. Department of Education, she worked for former Attorney General Ashcroft at The Ashcroft Group, LLC., where she traveled with General Ashcroft on his book tour, and served as primary media contact.  She has also worked in the Office of the Press Secretary and Office of Public Liaison at The White House.   Ms Hervey began her career in Washington, DC working for Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS).

“She is a graduate of Albion College and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Political Management at The George Washington University.”