GOPAC today announced that Frank Donatelli will succeed RNC Chairman Michael Steele, who recently resigned to lead the Republican National Committee (RNC). Frank Donatelli's new role as GOPAC Chairman will begin effective on March 5, 2009.

"We are proud to have Frank Donatelli serve as GOPAC's Chairman and lead us in electing a new generation of Republican leaders," said Tom Talbot, GOPAC President of the Board of Directors. "Our Board of Directors unanimously elected Frank."

Mr. Donatelli's new role as GOPAC Chairman is to train and help elect state and local Republican candidates.

Mr. Donatelli stated, "Our mission is to help state and local Republicans communicate to voters our conservative principles that government doesn't create wealth; it only redistributes it. We cannot spend our way to prosperity. Furthermore, 90% of the jobs created in America are by the private sector, not by government. Just as important, families, not the government, are best able to provide for themselves." Mr. Donatelli added, "The fact is people are still motivated by a desire to provide a better tomorrow for themselves and their families. This is why guaranteeing them the freedom to pursue prosperity must be our guiding principle as we seek to restore the economic vitality that has made the United States of America the envy of the world."

Most recently Mr. Donatelli was asked by Senator John McCain to serve as the Deputy Chairman of the Republican National Committee during the 2008 presidential elections. His previous appointments have included serving as an Assistant to President Reagan for Political and Intergovernmental Affairs and as Deputy Assistant to the President for Public Liaison at the White House. Mr. Donatelli served on White House Chief of Staff James Baker's team that negotiated the 1984 presidential debates, a role he reprised as a Senior Advisor to Bob Dole in 1996. He was also a Regional Political Director for Ronald Reagan and was active in the presidential campaigns of George H.W. Bush.

GOPAC was formed in 1979 to build a Republican political infrastructure capable of winning and governing across America. It is a national organization dedicated exclusively to electing Republicans to state and local offices. GOPAC is the Republican Party's preeminent training and education political action committee.