The Massachusetts Democratic State Committee elected last week state Sen. Thomas McGee as the new party leader.

He succeeds John Walsh, who announced in July his decision to leave the committee to work for Gov. Deval Patrick’s political organization.

McGee’s top two party priorities over the next year are to hold the governor’s mansion and embattled Democratic Rep. John F. Tierney’s 6th District seat, according to a release.

Smoot, Tewes Form New Firm

Two former Barack Obama campaign staffers Julianna Smoot and Paul Tewes have formed a new Washington-based public and political affairs firm, the Smoot Tewes Group.

“From development and fundraising to strategy to day-to-tactics and implementation, we put together complete programs designed to do one thing: win,” a release stated.

The group formed in June but is officially launching this month.

Jindal Hires Former Romney Operative

Jill Neunaber has joined Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s new national organization, America Next. She will serve as executive director for the group, which is technically a nonprofit that cannot make politics its primary purpose under IRS rules.

Most recently, Neunaber managed Republican nominee Gabriel Gomez’s special election for Senate in Massachusetts. Before that, she worked in New Hampshire and Iowa for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign.

More Discord in Iowa GOP

Another Iowa GOP central committee has called on state Chairman A.J. Spiker to resign, per The Quad-City Times. The Linn County Republican Party is the fourth county GOP central committee to call for Spiker’s departure. Cedar Rapids is the Linn County seat.

Spiker angered local Republicans when he decided to postpone the state’s 2014 convention date. The state GOP central committee reversed his decision in late September.

Spiker wrote a lengthy defense of his tenure in September and indicated that he had no intention to leave his position.

Super Mario

An Arizona Democratic consultant, Mario Diaz, announced last week his candidacy for an at-large seat on the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board. The election will take place in November 2014.

State GOP Head Out of Intensive Care

Vermont GOP Chairman Jack Lindley’s health has improved. Several weeks ago, Lindley landed in the hospital for an undisclosed illness.

“He’s out of the ICU but still in the hospital,” a state party representative told CQ Roll Call on Monday.

Walsh’s Most Wanted

Democratic operative Michelle Mayorga recently joined Montana Lt. Gov John Walsh’s campaign for Senate, according to an email she sent to his supporters.

Mayorga joined the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee last winter as its Western political director. Prior to her DCCC stint, she ran campaigns in New Mexico and for Planned Parenthood.

Tillis Hires Campaign Manager

North Carolina state Speaker Thom Tillis announced earlier this month that his longtime official communications director, Jordan Shaw, joined his Senate campaign as campaign manager and spokesman.

Shaw is also a former North Carolina GOP spokesman.

RNC Reaches Out

The Republican National Committee recently hired more operatives to amplify its minority outreach operation:

•Orlando Watson, a communications director for black media. Watson previously served in the offices of Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

•Tara Wall, a senior adviser for black media. A former newscaster, Wall is the founder of PTP Foundation for Media Arts and served as a senior adviser to Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign.

The RNC also announced that it will place Hispanic state directors and field directors in each of the following states: California, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. The committee expects to make similar investments in 11 other states.

Emily Cahn 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 @RCShopTalk.