Kyle Gott, most recently the campaign manager for state Rep. Alma Adams’ Democratic primary win in North Carolina, died on June 19 in a car accident in Kentucky. He was 31.

Gott worked as a campaign manager on a number of races, including West Virginia Treasurer John Perdue’s failed gubernatorial bid in 2011, and Democrat Rob Wallace’s failed bid in Oklahoma’s 2nd District last cycle.

In May, Adams won the nod for the open 12th District seat outright, avoiding a runoff. Adams, who is all but certain to come to Congress in November, credited Gott’s work on previous campaigns to her own electoral success.

“I learned early on working with Kyle how smart and committed to excellence he was,” Adams said in a release. “He was hard working, caring, compassionate and passionate, and we grew close over these months.”

Gott worked at the Tennessee-based Democratic consulting firm Fletcher Rowley as an internal campaign manager in 2010. His colleagues there remembered him as a hard worker who knew how to have fun.

“He was a warrior,” said Bill Fletcher, a partner at the firm. “He was always ready and just had a great energy about him. … Campaigns are a tough business and you need tough people. Kyle certainly fit that bill.”

Georgia Republican Senate Candidate Joins ShePAC

Former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel, who lost a GOP primary for Georgia’s open Senate seat in May, will join ShePAC as an adviser.

ShePAC supports Republican women running for office. This cycle, the group is backing state Sen. Joni Ernst’s campaign for Iowa’s open Senate seat and former Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love’s bid for Congress in Utah, among others.

“ShePAC was a strong supporter of my campaign, and I’m proud to have this chance to do my part to help other conservative women,” Handel said in an email to supporters. “So, let’s work together as we head into November and do all we can to elect more conservative women!”

DNC Brings on Senior Communications Adviser

The Democratic National Committee has hired Ashley Bauman as senior communications adviser to DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Bauman heads to the DNC from the Virginia Democratic Party, where she served as press secretary.

She also served as communications director for Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s inauguration committee, and held numerous roles for President Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns in Florida.

Braley Hires Press Secretary for Iowa Senate Bid

Rep. Bruce Braley, the Democratic nominee in the Hawkeye State’s open Senate contest, has hired Sam Lau as press secretary.

Lau joins the Braley campaign from the Iowa Democratic Party, where he also served as press secretary. Braley faces state Sen. Joni Ernst, the Republican nominee, in November.

Georgia Republican Party Hires Minority Engagement Director

Lisa Kinnemore will join the Georgia Republican Party as a field director for the party’s minority engagement initiative.

Kinnemore currently serves on the executive committee of the DeKalb County GOP, and is the treasurer of the North DeKalb Republican Women.

“The Georgia Republican Party’s Minority Engagement program is crucial to the growth of the Party and the advancement of conservative values and policy,” said Georgia Republican Party Chairman John Padgett.

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