Former state Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, one of several Republicans running for the congressional post soon to be vacated by U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, announced four key staff hirings on Tuesday.
Among them:
“Jerry Dowell, who will serve as Luetkemeyer’s campaign manager” after taking an unpaid leave from Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s staff. Dowell formerly was Hulshof’s political director and later worked for former state Sen. John Cauthorn, before joining Kinder.
Randall Gutermuth, who will be an adviser. He is with American Viewpoint of Alexandria, Va., a conservative firm “which currently advises the National Republican Campaign Committee, the Republican National Committee and John McCain’s presidential efforts,” a release said.
“Gutermuth has worked with numerous Missouri elected official,” including former Sen. Jim Talent, Gov. Matt Blunt, Kinder and U.S. Reps. Roy Blunt and Jo Ann Emerson, among others.
John Thompson, who will handle Luetkemeyer’s advertising. Thompson currently heads Thompson Communications in Springfield,Mo., where he has worked with a number of Missouri politicians (notably the Blunts) for 20 years.
David Barklage, who will serve as a senior campaign consultant. Barklage has worked with a number of Missouri pols, including Kinder and the late U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson.
“I am honored and extremely pleased that these experienced and successful individuals have joined our campaign and I look forward to working with them on behalf of the hard-working people of the 9th Congressional District of Missouri,” Luetkemeyer said in a statement.
By the way, Luetkemeyer is among several Republicans who have hired former state GOP spokesman Paul Sloca in some capacity. Sloca also is doing work for Kinder and state Sen. President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, who’s running for attorney general.