A top House Republican, Rep. Peter Roskam of Illinois, will expand his political operation in the coming weeks by dispatching his longtime top aide to the campaign trail.

Steven Moore, Roskam’s chief of staff for more than six years, confirmed to CQ Roll Call that he will leave Capitol Hill for a full-time position with the chief deputy whip’s political operation. He will focus on helping rank-and-file members — many of whom are from safe GOP districts — with fundraising and grass roots, while keeping an early eye on next year’s primaries.

Roskam’s campaign organization includes his re-election campaign and a political action committee, Republican Operation To Secure And Keep A Majority. Moore will work for both.

Moore joined Roskam in the final month of the congressman’s competitive 2006 campaign in the Chicago suburbs. That cycle, Roskam defeated a top Democratic recruit, Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth, by 2 points. Last year, Duckworth won her first term in Congress in a nearby redrawn district.

Roskam won re-election easily in 2008 and every subsequent election. He became chief deputy whip in 2010.

Prior to working with Roskam, Moore served as a pollster in Iraq and advised activists in Indonesia, East Timor and Uzbekistan with the International Republican Institute. He got his start in California politics.

Moore will start his new position in early July. Roskam’s deputy chief of staff, David Mork, will succeed Moore in the congressman’s Capitol Hill office.