Top aides to former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Monday announced the formation of a Sacramento-based consulting firm, the Ginsberg McLear Group.

The firm was founded by Josh Ginsberg, who was Schwarzenegger’s political director, and Aaron McLear, who served as press secretary. It is affiliated with the public affairs and ballot issues firm Goddard Claussen West.

According to a press release, the firm “will counsel both political and business clients through services including public affairs, crisis communications, media training, and campaign and issue management.”

Along with his work for Schwarzenegger, Ginsberg has worked on the presidential campaigns of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) and President George W. Bush, and in 2010 he managed the unsuccessful Oregon gubernatorial campaign of former NBA player Chris Dudley (R).

McLear has worked in Ohio for the state Speaker and governor, Bush’s re-election and the Republican National Committee.

“Having operated at the highest levels of government and politics for high-profile officials and issues, we understand how to plan a strategy and execute the tactics necessary to reach your goals,” the partners wrote on their new website.

A Fine Fellers to Manage Bruning’s Campaign

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning (R) announced he has hired Trent Fellers to serve as campaign manager for his quest to oust Sen. Ben Nelson (D).

“Trent’s management abilities and political acumen are second to none,” Bruning said. “He’s exactly the experienced hand our campaign needs to defeat Ben Nelson and bring fiscal sanity back to government.”

Fellers is a Lincoln, Neb., native and graduate of Doane College. A veteran of the Marine Corps Reserves, Fellers was previously a business development executive at a software company in Omaha. Prior to that he served as chief of staff to former state Treasurer Shane Osborn and has held leadership positions at the Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans and as president of the Lancaster County Young Republicans.

Off to the Granite State

Michigan GOP consultant Matthew Chisholm announced on Twitter last week that he is heading to New Hampshire to work for Jon Huntsman, the ex-Utah governor and former ambassador to China who is expected to run for president.

Chisholm, who worked on the campaign of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) in 2010, said he would be joining Huntsman’s political action committee, H-PAC, as well as his potential presidential bid.

As the Associated Press reported over the weekend, John Weaver has led a team of political strategists that has been building a campaign-in-waiting for Huntsman, including the recent hire of Whit Ayres as pollster for his PAC.

Brown Off the SBA List

Kerry Brown, communications director at the Susan B. Anthony List, left the group Friday to work in the marketing department at media marketing firm BIA/Kelsey.

The SBA List got involved in 90 races and spent $11 million during the 2010 cycle. It seeks to oust abortion-rights supporters from office and help increase the number of female abortion-rights opponents in Congress and in governors’ mansions.

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