Previously, Rutledge served as Counsel to the Republican National Committee, where her primary focus was on federal and state election law matters, redistricting, campaign finance, contracts, employment and insurance law, the 2012 presidential primary schedule and delegate selection, and The Rules of the Republican Party. During the 2008 cycle, Rutledge served as Deputy Counsel to the National Republican Congrssional Committee, where she specialized in campaign finance and communication regulatory law. In 2007-2008, she was Deputy Counsel to Huckabee for President. Rutledge has also worked as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Lonoke County, Attorney in the Division of Children and Family Services, Deputy Counsel to Gov. Mike Huckabee, and Clerk for Judge Josephine Hart (now on the AR Supreme Court).