(AP) - The operations chief for the past year at the North Carolina Republican Party is leaving the job following his involvement in another successful election cycle for the GOP.
    
Party Executive Director Scott Laster confirmed Wednesday he would step down at year's end and join his wife working at a new lobbying firm in Raleigh.
    
The News & Observer of Raleigh first reported the departure of Laster, who was hired in late 2011. He was previously House campaign director during the 2010 elections, when Republicans took sole control of the chamber for the first time since 1998.
    
This year, the Republicans expanded their majorities in the House and Senate and won the governor's race. Mitt Romney also won North Carolina's 15 electoral votes after Barack Obama won them in 2008.