Daniel Cole, the former communications director for the Colorado Republican Party, has been hired to head the state GOP’s Senate Majority Fund, Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert said Friday.

“With every passing week, Democrats in the State Capitol careen further out of control,” Cole said in a statement. “Colorado deserves a Republican majority in the Senate that restores balance to our state government. Delivering that majority will be my mission.”

The organization is tasked with electing Republicans to the state Senate, where Democrats hold a 19-16 majority in the wake of the November election. 

“Daniel brings a strategic vision and administrative ability that will serve the Senate Majority Fund well,” Holbert said in a written statement.

Cole takes over from political consultant Andy George, who ran SMF for the previous six election cycles – including in 2014 and 2016, when Republicans won majorities by a single seat in the Senate.

A former executive director of the El Paso County Republican Party, Cole runs a communications and political consulting firm.

Steve Durham, a member of the State Board of Education and veteran political operative, will serve as lead consultant for the multi-million dollar operation, Cole said.

Cole said his background in communications will be a key asset in his new position.

“All of the operations of an outfit like SMF are essentially communications and messaging,” he said in an interview. “You’re communicating either in mailboxes or on the television or on the doorstep or social media. It’s unavoidable the role is going to be a communications-based one.”

He added: “Donors want to see a plan and a team they can believe in. We’re going to give them both.”

Although Colorado Republicans suffered a thumping at the ballot box in the last election, Cole said it’s important to keep in mind the distinct roles played by the state party and outside-spending groups like SMF.

“Because of Colorado’s campaign finance regime, state parties aren’t in a position to influence the outcome of most elections,” Cole said. “That’s the sad reality, and that’s a product of strict contribution limits to parties. The party does play a very important role in terms of mobilizing volunteers, organizing a ground game, but campaigns are won and lost in a realm that parties aren’t able to play in.”

Republicans have a shot at retaking the Senate majority in the next election, Cole said.

“Even as things stand right now, there’s the very real possibility of our making gains,” he said. “But it’s a cliché to say a day is an eternity in politics. The landscape can change in very significant ways between now and November 2020. Republicans’ charge is to be prepared and equipped to take advantage of any favorable changes in the landscape.”

Holbert said Senate Republican leaders have been interviewing applicants to lead the political operation for months and that Cole was their unanimous pick.

State Sen. Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, had high praise for Cole in a written statement.

“Daniel Cole is unusual in that he can see both the big picture and the details that comprise it,” Lundeen said. “He can sketch the grand strategy but, unlike most visionaries, is also capable of executing it. The Senate Majority Fund is in good hands.”

Republican consultant Ryan Lynch told Colorado Politics that it’s common when there’s a change in caucus leadership for the new leadership team to install their preferred operatives.

“Hopefully Daniel is able to replicate the great success that Andy George had when he took and later kept the state Senate for Republicans,” Lynch said. “Those are mighty big shoes to fill, and I wish Daniel the very best of luck.”