COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The transition director of the South Carolina Republican Party has been named the executive director.

Party chairman Chad Connelly announced Matt Moore's new title Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Moore previously was the state executive director for the conservative policy group Club for Growth and deputy political director for the Republican Governors Association.

Former executive director Joel Sawyer told the GOP's leadership Monday that he was stepping down to work for former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman. Sawyer says he will be Huntsman's state director if he formally enters the 2012 presidential race.

Connelly was elected chairman earlier this month at the Republican state convention, replacing Karen Floyd.

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