Donald Trump has hired Sarah Palin’s former chief of staff to serve as the national political director for his presidential campaign.
{mosads}In a statement released Thursday, Trump announced the addition of Michael Glassner to his political team. Glassner served as the director of vice presidential operations to Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid, when Palin was number two on the ticket.
“I am pleased to welcome Michael Glassner to our national campaign leadership team,” Trump said in a statement. “In addition to our great success in all the recent national polls, we have built a great team, ultimately driven by my message to Make America Great Again and Mr. Glassner will certainly be an asset to us as we further cement our dominance in the 2016 GOP field.”
Glassner has more than 30 years experience with political campaigns. He began his career as an aide to former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) and was a top adviser to Dole’s presidential runs in 1988 and 1996. He also served as an adviser to George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential campaign.
Earlier this week, Trump said he would “love” to have Palin in his administration if he wins the White House.
“She really is somebody who knows what’s happening, and she’s a special person,” Trump said. “Everybody loves her.”
There has been considerable backlash to Trump’s remarks about McCain. He has questioned whether the Arizona Republican, who suffered permanent injuries from torture as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, was a war hero.
Trump has shot to the top of the polls since launching his presidential bid last month. He is at nearly 20 percent nationally, according to the RealClearPolitics average, leading Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the next closest contender, by more than 6 points.