RJC Opens Office in Chicago, Hires First-Ever Midwest Regional Director

Washington, D.C. — The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), the nation’s only grassroots organization of Jewish Republicans, announced the opening of a Midwest regional office in Chicago and the hiring of Jeremy Wynes as Midwest Regional Director.

Wynes brings to the RJC foreign policy and political experience that he acquired during nearly seven years at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The opening of an RJC office in Chicago and expansion of the RJC’s professional operation to the Midwest is representative of our continued growth across the country. The Midwest office will cover the following states: Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Wynes said, “I am thrilled about my new role with the RJC and I look forward to connecting the Republican political leaders and Jewish communities of the Midwest more deeply. On the most critical issues of concern to the Jewish community – in particular a strong U.S. national security posture, including support for our ally Israel – there are significant differences between Republican and Democrat policies. It is important for Jewish Republicans to speak out and be heard by elected officials and by the Jewish community on these issues.”

RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said, “As a Jewish Republican with a deep connection to Midwestern politics, Jeremy understands the communities in which he will work, and we are excited to start working with him as he expands the RJC’s outreach efforts.”

Brooks added, “We have been fortunate to have terrific local RJC members, in particular Dr. Michael Menis, who have built the RJC’s grassroots presence in Chicago over the years. We now have the opportunity to take our efforts to the next level and we are deeply grateful to Dr. Menis and others for their hard work and dedication to the RJC.”

Beginning in 2008, Wynes directed AIPAC’s fundraising and organizing efforts in four Midwest communities before becoming AIPAC’s Midwest political director in 2011. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of AIPAC’s political activities in the region in the last two election cycles – encompassing 89 congressional districts and 18 Senate offices across 9 midwestern states.

Born and raised in the Quad-Cities area of western Illinois, Wynes graduated from Illinois State University in 2002 and received his law degree from DePaul University College of Law in 2006. Prior to joining AIPAC, he worked in Chicago as an attorney in private practice. He is married with two children and lives in Highland Park, Illinois.