Ben Carson has hired two veteran Republican operatives with political experience dating back to the Ronald Reagan era as he forms a presidential exploratory committee.
The retired neurosurgeon’s political operation announced Tuesday the hiring of Doug Watts as communications director and Ed Brookover as senior strategist.
Watts, according to a Carson aide, has been involved in dozens of political campaigns, including Reagan-Bush in 1984. He has also worked for Clear Channel Worldwide and Gannett Company.
“Doug brings a combination of political expertise and private enterprise to our planned communications team,” said Terry Giles, the chairman of Carson’s political operation. “His background and experience will blend perfectly with our planned group of young and extremely talented branding, artistic, and social media teams.”
Brookover, according to the aide, has more than 30 years of political experience, including work at the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee.
“Ed brings a wealth of campaign experience to our team,” Giles said. “As senior strategist, the Brookover signature on a campaign is his ability to develop a roadmap that both reflect the values and qualities of a candidate and one that proves victorious on Election Day.”
Carson on Tuesday announced the formation of an exploratory committee, the step before officially entering the race for the White House.