RGA Announces Sara Craig Gongol As Its New Executive Director

November 15, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Republican Governors Association announced Sara Craig Gongol as the organization‘s new executive director. Craig Gongol will oversee the RGA’s political and policy organization for a four-year term that begins January 2023.

“Sara is a talented operative who’s keenly aware of what’s necessary for an organization to be successful at the highest level,” said RGA Co-Chair Governor Pete Ricketts. “She brings to the RGA a knowledge of how to win tough races, support a governor’s policy agenda, and make important strategic decisions. We’re lucky to have her leading the RGA for four years.”

Craig Gongol previously served as Chief of Staff and general consultant to RGA Vice Chair and recently re-elected Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. Faced with a tough election in 2018, Governor Reynolds turned to Craig Gongol to steer her campaign operation, resulting in a victory over a well-financed Democrat opponent. Reynolds recently won her 2022 re-election campaign by nearly 20 percent thanks to historic accomplishments in her first full term in office.

“What happens at the state level has a profound impact on people’s lives and Sara will be responsible for making sure the RGA continues to expand its majority of governors,” said RGA Co-Chair Governor Doug Ducey. “Sara’s impressive political and official office experience makes her a perfect fit to oversee the organization as we head into an incredibly important four-year cycle.”

“Sara has been a valuable resource for me during my four-year tenure as executive director and I’m incredibly excited to welcome her as our new leader,” said outgoing RGA Executive Director Dave Rexrode. “The organization is in good hands with Sara in control and I’m confident more Republican governors will be elected because of her commitment to running effective operations.”

Prior to her time serving Governor Reynolds, Craig Gongol worked for multiple presidential, statewide, and local campaigns in Iowa, Virginia, and other locations around the country.