New Jersey native Bill Stepien helped Gov. Chris Christie win two terms. He just got a higher-profile role to do the same for President Donald Trump.
Stepien, who had been White House political director before joining the Trump campaign in December, was announced Tuesday as deputy campaign manager of the president’s re-election effort.
In his former role, Stepien worked to organize the re-election efforts on the state and local level, made sure the president was on the ballot in all 50 states, and oversaw the delegate selection for the 2020 Republican National Convention in August.
Stepien also was working for other Republican candidates, including Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., who switched parties.
“As we enter the most important stretch of the campaign, it is important to have seasoned and steady people on our leadership team, each with their own strengths, and each with an unwavering focus on victory," Campaign Manager Brad Parscale said.
Stepien had been national field director for Trump’s first presidential campaign after managing Christie’s two runs for governor. He was named state Republican chairman in 2014.
But Christie severed ties with Stepien as the Bridgegate scandal unfolded and investigators found emails between him and some of those involved. Stepien was never charged, and the U.S. Supreme Court recently overturned the convictions of two former Christie aides.
Another New Jersey native, Michael Glassner, serves as chief operating officer of the Trump re-election committee.
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Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com.