The Trump campaign has hired a staffer to oversee its New Hampshire ground operations, and he comes with an eclectic resume that includes working for some of the former president’s favorite targets.
Trevor Naglieri is a Franklin Pierce University graduate and longtime GOP operative who worked for local candidates like former U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta and congressional candidate Gary Lambert. At the presidential level, Naglieri was field director for Gov. Jeb Bush in New Hampshire in 2015 before jumping to Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential team as statewide field director. Now he is New Hampshire State Director for Trump 2024.
It’s a resume that is raising eyebrows in NHGOP circles.
“From Low-Energy Jeb to Lyin’ Ted to Indicted Trump? Wonder how the ‘MAGA’ voters are going to feel about that?” asked one NHGOP pro.
In 2014, Naglieri also served briefly as a staffer to Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who would go on to be one of the seven votes to convict Trump in his 2021 impeachment trial over his behavior on January 6. “Our Constitution and our country is [sic] more important than any one person. I voted to convict President Trump because he is guilty,” Cassidy said at the time.
And while Naglieri has made the move from more traditional conservative candidates to the Trump campaign, recent national headlines have highlighted Trump staffers who have jumped ship. Erin Perrine, Trump’s 2020 press communications director, recently joined a super PAC promoting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. That PAC, called “Never Back Down,” is headed by Trump’s homeland security chief Ken Cuccinelli.
Trump’s New Hampshire campaign chief Steve Stepanek tells NHJournal he is happy with the new hire.
“Trevor has great New Hampshire roots. He’s bright, he’s hard-working, and I’m sure he’ll do a phenomenal job,” Stepanek said. “He’s just one of the many great hires we’ll be announcing in the near future.”
Asked about Naglieri’s journey from some of the most anti-Trump campaigns to Team MAGA, Stepanek shrugged.
“There are very few of us who started with Trump and stayed with him the whole time. He’s not the first person to make this move, and I’m confident he won’t be the last,” Stepanek said.
National polls give Trump a strong lead among Republicans across the U.S., though polls in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire have been mixed.
Windham Selectman Bruce Breton, a member of Trump’s re-election team, said the Granite State Trump train is on track.
“Stephen Stepanek and President Trump are doing a great job getting the best talent in place for a great victory in New Hampshire. Trump supporters know what it takes to win New Hampshire and the White House. He’s done it before and will do it again,” Breton said.
