Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally on March 7, 2016, in Madison, Miss. | AP Photo 2016 Pro-Trump PAC hires GOP veteran as strategist

A pro-Donald Trump super PAC has tapped Jesse Benton, a veteran Republican operative with ties to Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell, to serve as its chief strategist.

The move is the latest indication that the super PAC, dubbed Great America PAC, is developing into a serious organization — one looking to buttress Trump in the final stretch of the Republican primary and, potentially, the general election.


"There is a growing movement behind Donald Trump, bringing new voters to the GOP in an unprecedented way,” Benton wrote in an email. “Great America PAC will help grow and harness that movement, unify Republicans and work to win not just the White House, but to also lengthen Mr. Trump's coattails in races across the America."

Benton, 38, is a prominent figure in Republican politics. Earlier this election season, he oversaw a pro-Rand Paul super PAC. In 2014, he served as a top aide on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s reelection bid. In 2012, he helped to guide Sen. Ron Paul’s presidential bid. He also was top aide on Paul’s 2010 Senate bid.

Great America PAC’s role is complicated. Trump has made opposition to super PACs a centerpiece of his campaign — although he has accepted millions of dollars in individual donations — and has ripped his rivals for benefiting from them.

Yet Great America PAC has persisted in its efforts. The group first launched in January under the name TrumPAC with seed funding from Jewelry Exchange CEO Bill Doddridge. Amy Kremer, a tea party leader, also signed on. Earlier this month, the group announced it had tapped Eric Beach, a California-based Republican operative who also worked for Paul, to oversee its fundraising.

Trump has taken steps to distance himself from the group. After it launched, a Trump attorney got in touch with the representatives for the super PAC and told them it wasn’t allowed to use the candidate’s last name in its title. Shortly after, TrumPAC changed its name to Great America PAC.

The super PAC is expanding its funding sources, and is soon expected to announce an infusion of donations. Benton, who has deep connections in the world of Republican fundraising, could help the group grow its bank account.

“I think Jesse is one of the best political minds in the country,” said Doug Wead, who previously worked for Sen. Paul, and his father, former Rep. Ron Paul. “He understands the cross-section of the insurgent outsider and the political establishment.”

Chris LaCivita, a former top Paul aide and past National Republican Senatorial Committee political director, called Benton a “consummate professional and a damn good political operative.”