GOP’s Ben Carson taps Las Vegas pastor as Nevada campaign chair

John Locher / AP

Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson prays before speaking Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the International Church of Las Vegas. Carson spoke at the church ahead of a scheduled rally in Henderson.

Associated Press

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 | 3:09 p.m.

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has tapped a Las Vegas pastor and author to be the Nevada campaign chairman.

Carson's campaign announced Tuesday that it appointed Rev. Paul Marc Goulet to the top state post. Goulet and his wife Denise are the senior pastors at the International Church of Las Vegas, a large, non-denominational Christian congregation where Carson spoke last month.

Goulet called Carson a candidate of the people and said he has widespread grassroots support in Nevada.

Carson's campaign manager described Goulet as a prominent figure in Nevada whose ability to communicate Carson's story would be critical to the campaign's success in Nevada.