Election 2016: Jeb Bush Campaign Manager To Be Danny Diaz

WASHINGTON -- Danny Diaz, a Republican strategist, will serve as campaign manager for Jeb Bush’s likely presidential campaign, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. Bush, who is in Europe this week, is expected to launch his campaign next week.

Diaz, who is Hispanic, has worked on several presidential campaigns, including serving as a senior adviser to Mitt Romney in 2012. Diaz will take a leave from his office in Washington, which handles advertising and public affairs, to move to Miami to run the campaign, reported the Washington Post.

Diaz also advised several high-profile races for Congress and governor offices. In 2010, Diaz served as the top strategist for New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, the first Hispanic woman elected governor of a state. Martinez was re-elected in 2014, a campaign that Diaz also advised. Martinez’s name is often included on a shortlist of potential vice presidential nominees. She will likely be considered a strong contender for the next election.

“David can best position us for success by playing a key leadership role focusing on how Jeb wins primaries, caucuses and ultimately the general election,” said Sally Bradshaw, whose title will be senior adviser to the campaign, told the Wall Street Journal. “Danny’s skills in rapidly moving content and campaign organization makes him perfectly suited for running the day-to-day operations.”

Most had expected that David Kochel, who worked for Romney in 2012 and was recruited by Bush while the former Massachusetts governor was still considering running again, would be the campaign manager. Instead, Kochel will be responsible for strategy in early primary states.

Diaz’s experience in states with heavy Hispanic populations -- like Arizona and New Mexico -- could be a boost for Bush’s campaign, which hopes to make strong inroads with Latino voters to try to narrow the voting gap that Democrats have recently enjoyed. Republicans have made winning Hispanic voters a priority.