GOPAC, an organization that grooms Republican state lawmakers to run for higher office, will announce its 2015 Legislative Leaders Advisory Board Monday, according to a release provided first to CQ Roll Call.  

The board pinpoints promising state legislators for GOPAC’s Emerging Leaders Program, which seeks to foster a bench of talent to eventually run for federal and statewide elected office. Previous members of the Emerging Leaders Program include now-Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Cory Gardner of Colorado. Both Republicans won targeted Senate races in 2014.  

“The members of our 2015 Legislative Leaders Advisory Board will have an important role in educating and electing a new generation of Republican leaders,” said GOPAC Chairman David Avella, who was promoted to that role following the November midterms.  

At least a few of the members on the board in 2015 could be future House or Senate candidates. For example, Republicans have mentioned state Sen. Bryce Reeves as a possible Senate candidate in Virginia in 2018. Republicans also say another board member, state Rep. Melissa Melendez, could look at California’s newly open Senate seat in 2016.

The 114th: CQ Roll Call’s Guide to the New Congress


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