Peter Roskam Beefs Up Political Operation, Aims for Bigger National Profile

Rep. Peter Roskam’s chief of staff is moving over to head his boss’ political operation, a move designed to strengthen the Illinois Republican’s national profile.

Steven Moore will run Roskam’s leadership PAC and reelection campaign, a job that until now he could only do on the side.

“The reason Eric Cantor is Eric Cantor is because he does a lot of stuff for the team. We want to get into the Cantorsphere,” Moore said about the House majority leader who is a prodigious fundraiser.

While much of the attention is paid to the roughly 50 competitive House seats, Roskam, as chief deputy majority whip, will focus on working with the approximately 180 safe Republican incumbents, helping them fend off primary challengers. It’s easier for a top Republican vote-counter to win votes when he has good relationships with members who are politically strong.

Moore has been with Roskam since his first race in 2006. He’s being replaced as chief of staff by David Mork, who was Roskam’s driver in that ‘06 campaign. Mork has worked as a legislative assistant, legislative director, and, most recently, as deputy chief of staff.