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Shop Talk: Who’s Behind the Draft PAC for Hillary Rodham Clinton?

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton may not be ready to talk about her political future, but a Northern Virginia-based political action committee is ready to talk about her.

“Ready for Hillary PAC” is a presidential draft effort composed of her former allies and staff — although it’s not directly associated with Clinton. According to its spokesman, the super PAC’s priority is to convince Clinton to run in 2016 — and the next task is to build an infrastructure for her bid.

Three staff members compose the Ready for Hillary team:

• Dr. Allida Black is the group’s chairwoman. The longtime Clinton backer is a history professor at George Washington University.

• Adam Parkhomenko worked for Clinton’s various political organizations until and including her 2008 presidential campaign. The next year, he unsuccessfully ran for the Virginia House of Delegates.

• Seth Bringman is the group’s spokesman. He worked on Clinton’s 2008 campaign as a researcher and moved up to the campaign’s communications team. He is a former Ohio State Democratic Party spokesman.

As for funding, Ready for Hillary is actively seeking large contributors, but Bringman said there will also be an emphasis on small donors. Like most super PACs, the group declined to reveal details about early fundraising.

But Bringman did reveal the group’s first donor: longtime Clinton operative Ann Lewis.

Second Chance for Love

Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love told CQ Roll Call this weekend that she has hired Dave Hansen as her campaign manager in preparation for a rematch against Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah. Hansen, who managed Republican Sen. Orrin G. Hatch’s 2012 re-election campaign in Utah, is charged with hiring her consultant team.

Last cycle, Love lost Utah’s 4th District to Matheson by 1 point.

Another Cantor Aide Decamps to NRSC

GOP operative Matt Lira announced Monday on Twitter that he will be the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s new deputy executive director.

Lira leaves his current post as senior adviser to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. He previously worked for the vice presidential campaign of Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., in 2012, as well as for Arizona Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign in 2008 and the Republican National Committee.

Hoosier Chairman? This Guy

Indiana Democrats elected John Zody, a top aide to former Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind., as their new state party chairman this weekend. Zody ran unopposed for the spot, with backing from the state’s top Democrat, Sen. Joe Donnelly.

Hoosier Democrats also elected Vice Chairwoman Cordelia Lewis Burks, Secretary Vera Mileusnic and Treasurer Sherrianne M. Standley.

Meanwhile, Indiana Republicans re-elected Eric Holcomb as their chairman on March 13. Others in top leadership were also re-elected, including Sandi Huddleston, Secretary Barb McClellan and Treasurer Peter Deputy.

All had the support of Republican Gov. Mike Pence, according to a press release.

Lindsay Lands

Paul Lindsay joined the Powell Tate public affairs firm as a vice president last week. Lindsay is a former two-term National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman.

A regional spokesman for Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign in 2008, Lindsay is also a former Republican National Committee and Capitol Hill staff member.

Gingrey’s Ramblin’ Wrecking Crew

Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., has started to assemble a campaign team to run for retiring Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ seat — although the six-term House member has yet to formally announce a Senate campaign.

Gingrey’s political team would include Chip Lake as general consultant, Rising Tide Media Group’s Sonny Scott, and the Stoneridge Group for direct mail.

Jacob Climbs the Ladder

West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Larry Puccio promoted current staff member Jacob Winowich to be the state committee’s new executive director.

Winowich was born in New Mexico, but he has family ties to the Mountain State. He replaces the outgoing executive director, Derek Scarbro.

Joshua Miller and Kyle Trygstad contributed to this report. Please send news of developments in the political industry to shoptalk@rollcall.com and follow us on Twitter at @RCShopTalk.

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