Reagan Names Texan to Replace Abrams in Contra Aid Campaign

President Reagan on Tuesday named former Rep. Tom Loeffler (R-Tex.) as his chief lobbyist for aid to the Nicaraguan contras , a new position created to remove controversial Assistant Secretary of State Elliott Abrams from the selling job.

Loeffler, 40, will be responsible for coordinating the lobbying efforts of the White House staff, the National Security Council staff and the State and Defense departments during the Reagan Administration’s fall drive to win a new installment of $105 million for the contras.

It will be the first request for additional aid since the scandal erupted over the diversion of profits from Iran arms sales to the contras.

Abrams--the assistant secretary in charge of Latin American affairs--is a figure in the scandal and, according to congressional leaders, has lost credibility with lawmakers over testimony about his role.

At the State Department, spokesman Charles Redman said Abrams will remain in charge of policy in Central America.

Central Policy Role

A White House spokesman said Abrams would still have a central policy role to play in the debate, but somebody of Loeffler’s stature was needed because of the difficulty the Administration expects in rounding up the votes, making it, for the first time, a full-time job.

Loeffler, who served in the House from 1979 through 1986, rising to chief deputy whip, retired last year to make what turned out to be an unsuccessful run for governor of Texas.

Now a San Antonio attorney, Loeffler previously served as a legislative liaison for President Gerald R. Ford and was chief legislative counsel to former Sen. John Tower (R-Tex.).