A longtime top aide to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is heading south to Miami to join Jeb Bush’s political action committee ahead of the former Florida GOP governor’s expected run for the White House.
{mosads}Michael Steel, a familiar face on Capitol Hill who has served as Boehner’s press secretary since 2008, will assume a “leadership role in policy and communications” with Right to Rise Policy Solutions PAC, Bush’s political action committee, which is focused on policy issues, sources confirmed.
“Ask anyone in the Capitol — Republican, Democrat, or otherwise — about Michael Steel, and they will tell you the same thing: he is a pro’s pro,” Boehner said in a statement Monday.
“For more than seven years, I have relied on his ability to dissect an issue, win a debate, and deal openly and honestly with the press. He brings nothing but class, decency — and even cheer — to his work no matter how tough the situation,” the Speaker continued. “We would not be where we are today without him.”
Politico was first to report the move. Steel is expected to leave Boehner’s office by the end of the month.
Boehner hasn’t endorsed anyone in the GOP presidential primary, but he’s spent the past year encouraging Bush to enter the race. Steel will provide a direct line between Boehnerland and Bush’s all-but-certain presidential campaign.
Steel is no stranger to the campaign trail.
In 2012, he served as press secretary for Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) when Mitt Romney picked him as his running mate. And last year, Steel headed down to North Carolina to help Republican Thom Tillis unseat Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan.