Meet Our Team
Joel Sawyer
Executive Director
Joel serves the South Carolina Republican Party as the Executive Director, ensuring the party will continue to grow while promoting the conservative message. Before acting as Executive Director, Joel served as the Communications Director, where he coordinated all aspects of the party's communication.
Prior to this, he worked in Governor Mark Sanford's office as Communications Director. Before joining the Sanford administration, he was a reporter for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal. He lives in Irmo with his wife, Anna, and daughter, Sara Ann.
Kurt Pickhardt
Director of Operations
Kurt is from Greenville and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Political Science. He has been active in Republican politics since interning at the South Carolina Republican Party headquarters during college. As an intern, Kurt gained broad and deep experience. He worked on legislative special elections, assisted in planning events surrounding the 2008 First-in-the-South Republican Party Presidential Primary and met many of the White House hopefuls who visited South Carolina. Kurt looks forward to helping elect reform-minded conservative candidates to local, state and federal office in 2010 and beyond.
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Lindsey Helms
Office Manager
Lindsey Helms graduated from Clemson University with a BS degree in Political Science. During her time at Clemson, Lindsey was an intern for Mitt Romney and also worked with two local South Carolina House of Representatives campaigns. After graduating in May of 2009, she moved back to her hometown of Columbia. As a lifelong conservative, she is thrilled to be starting her career with the South Carolina Republican Party.
Donna Martin
development Director
As the Development Director for the South Carolina Republican Party, Donna spends her time finding creative ways to build the party's financial base. Using her background in in public relations and advertising, Donna uses our pro-growth, conservative message to recruit and energize past and new donors alike. Prior to joining the SCGOP, Donna worked as PR & Advertising Director for Hargay Communications Group for 13 years. She has been engaged in the Hilton Head community for years, helping build the coastal community through numerous civic projects. Donna served as a Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce Director, Harbourside Bank Director, Board Chairman for United Way of Beaufort County and as campaign manager for numerous political candidates including former State Representative Jo Anne Gilham, , and Hilton Head Island Mayor Tom Peeples. She even served on the Hilton Head Town Council.
Elizabeth Donehue
Deputy Development Director
Elizabeth isn't afraid to ask for money...especially when it goes to a good cause like funding our conservative effort. For the past five years, Elizabeth has been raising money and planning events for strong conservative candidates, incumbents, associations, PAC’s, and non-profit organizations. She has raised cash for US senate, down ballot statewide, and state legislative candidates. She's about as conservative as one can get and she believes that other conservatives must put their money where their mouth is.
Got an etiquette question? Elizabeth is a modern manners expert who knows her way around thank-you notes and social graces!
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Wesley Donehue
Marketing and Technology
Wesley Donehue is a South Carolina political operative who has run, worked on, or advised countless winning campaigns. He is a partner with the political Internet development and consulting firm Under The Power Lines and the owner of political consulting firm JUMP! New Media. Wesley also serves as the Political and Communications Director for the South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus and as an advisor to US Senator Jim DeMint, Congressman Gresham Barrett, Congressman Joe Wilson, and numerous members of the South Carolina General Assembly. When he's not working, you can typically find Wesley updating his blog www.wesleydonehue.com from Starbucks or playing along one of South Carolina's amazing beaches with his wife Elizabeth and yorkie Gucci.
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Sharon Thomson
Comptroller
Sharon Thomson graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BS degree in Finance. She has over 20 years experience in the accounting field, primarily in mortgage banking and the construction industry. She currently owns her own firm, providing accounting services to a number of small businesses. She is a notary with the State of South Carolina and a member of the National Association of Women in Construction. Sharon has the background and experience to ensure our books and records are maintained accurately and professionally.
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