SIOUX CITY – Dr. Sam Clovis (right), Republican candidate for treasurer of Iowa, announced July 25 the addition of two key staff members: Army veteran John Thompson (left) will serve as his political director. David Niffenegger, Brad Zaun’s former district director, will serve as the campaign’s operations director.
Thompson was the lone Republican state treasurer candidate competing against Clovis for the party nomination. The Greene County native withdrew his nomination at the party’s convention to support his “conservative godfather.” He then saluted and embraced Clovis, a fellow veteran. Thompson served as a “Campaign for Liberty” county coordinator in Iowa. He also founded “Young Americans for Liberty” at Harvard. He is a graduate of West Point and the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Clovis’s candidacy became official at the Republican state convention, where he was nominated by Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds and enthusiastically embraced by the nearly 1,500 party delegates assembled for the convention. Clovis’ ability to unite former opponents is impressive. Matt Whitaker, who faced Clovis in the US Senate primary, agreed to serve as Clovis’ committee chairman.
“This was never about candidates. This was about finding solutions for a better Iowa. Dr. Clovis has a life-long track record of public service. He is a veteran, teacher and leader,” said Thompson.
Niffenegger was on the campaign staff for both of Brad Zaun’s congressional bids. He is a former candidate for Des Moines city council. Niffenegger has also worked on two other races for state legislature. He is a nine year veteran of the Army Guard and Reserve. His key assignments included duty as an honor guard and recruiter assistance. He holds a masters in public administration from Drake and a bachelor’s degree from Grand View College.
