McDonnell Announces Additions to Communications Staff of Incoming Administration

Stacey Johnson to Serve as Press Secretary; Taylor Thornley as Deputy Press Secretary

RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell today announced additions to the communications staff of his incoming gubernatorial Administration.  Stacey Johnson will serve as Press Secretary.  Taylor Thornley, currently Deputy Director of Communications for the McDonnell Transition, will join the Administration as Deputy Press Secretary. As previously announced, J. Tucker Martin will be serving as Director of Communications.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor-elect McDonnell noted, “Stacey and Taylor were invaluable members of the press team on my campaign for Governor.  They both possess a wealth of communications experience, and they are committed to effectively and proactively communicating our positive vision of bringing new jobs and more opportunities to every region of Virginia. I look forward to continuing to work with Stacey and Taylor in the years ahead.”

Below are full biographies of Stacey and Taylor.

Stacey Johnson

For the past three years, Stacey has served as Deputy Press Secretary for Congressman Eric Cantor, handling his state-wide media relations.  Prior to moving to Washington D.C Johnson was the Political Director on Rep. Cantor’s 2006 re-election campaign, in charge of all grassroots organization and activities. Johnson took a leave of absence to serve as Communications Director for Rep. Erik Paulsen’s (MN-3) successful top-tier election campaign in 2008. In the fall of 2009, she joined the campaign of then-gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell as his Traveling Press Secretary for the final months of the race. 

Johnson graduated from James Madison University in 2005 with a degree in Media Arts & Design and a minor in Political Communication. During the summer before her senior year of college, Johnson interned at ABC News in Washington, DC.  Immediately after college she moved to Richmond to work on the state-wide victory team for the 2005 gubernatorial election.

Taylor Thornley

Taylor currently serves as Deputy Director of Communications for the Transition of Governor-elect Bob McDonnell.  During McDonnell’s 2009 campaign for Governor she served as his Deputy Press Secretary and Press Assistant.  Thornley’s responsibilities included booking all media interviews, drafting press releases and advisories, providing briefing information for the Governor-elect, and managing daily communications efforts.

During the 2008 Presidential election Thornley worked on Senator John McCain’s campaign as Mrs. McCain’s Press Assistant.  In this role she traveled with Mrs. McCain and assisted with booking Mrs. McCain’s interviews.  Prior to working on the McCain campaign she interned in 2007 at the Republican National Committee’s Washington, DC headquarters in the communications department.  Thornley graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2009 with a degree in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.