U.S. Senator Dan Coats has hired former Indiana Republican Party Chairman Eric Holcomb to serve as his chief of staff overseeing all operations in state.Earlier this week Holcomb was among a number of high-level GOP party officials who stepped down despite pleas from Gov. Mike Pence.Indiana Republicans held the governor's office in the 2012 elections and added to their majority state House.But Democrats were able to pick up a U.S. Senate seat when Joe Donnelly defeated Richard Mourdock in a closely watched contest.Holcomb had told the Associated Press he was leaving to take a job outside of politics."Eric Holcomb is a well-respected, results-oriented leader in Indiana, and I am honored to have him join my team. As a veteran, state party chairman and long-time aide to former Governor Mitch Daniels, Eric has the experience and leadership skills to oversee my Indiana operations and assist me in working on behalf of Hoosiers," says Coats.Holcomb will join Coats’ office on July 10.