The Scarlet Letter
Campaign Insider
Consultants turn to social media in wake of Boston attack
by Sean J. Miller / Apr 17 2013
Dewey Square consultant Kevin Mulvey was running the Boston Marathon on Monday in support of his late father, who died of liver disease. He raised money for the Liver Foundation and recruited staffer Zack Greenberg, a recent college grad, to run the marathon with him.
They were just approaching the final turn down Boylston Street as two bombs exploded.
“As soon as we learned of the horrific event at the finish line we spent several hours trying
Hilltop Public Solutions opens Colorado office
by Shane D'Aprile / Apr 16 2013
Hilltop Public Solutions is continuing its westward expansion, opening a Colorado office and naming veteran consultant Craig Hughes partner.
Hilltop's Mo Elleithee announced the move in an email Tuesday morning.
Hughes, who most recently served as senior adviser to the Obama campaign in Colorado, will head up Hilltop's new office in the state. In the 2010 cycle, Hughes managed Sen. Michael Bennet's (D-Colo.) campaign.
"With Craig in the mix alongside our Montana and Oregon offices, we've assembled
Postal service to continue Saturday mail delivery
by Geordy Boveroux / Apr 10 2013
After announcing in February that it would halt delivery of regular mail on Saturdays, the United States Postal Service officially withdrew those plans on Wednesday.
For political direct mail consultants, the decision means there’s no need to rush to alter mail plans for the 2013 election season.
The agency’s board of governors announced in a statement that it would delay implementation of its plan to move to five-day delivery as a result of the stopgap budget measure
DNC Tech director Whitaker named COO at NGP VAN
by Geordy Boveroux / Apr 09 2013
The Democratic technology firm NGP VAN has announced the addition of Bryan Whitaker as its new chief operating officer.
Whitaker is leaving his post as technology director at the Democratic National Committee to join NGP VAN. At the DNC, Whitaker oversaw all software development and analytics work.
“This is a perfect match,” NGP VAN CEO Stu Trevelyan said in a statement on the hire. “Bryan is one of the most respected people in the progressive technology ecosystem.
Could same-sex marriage help the GOP win?
by Sean J. Miller / Apr 09 2013
As public support for same-sex marriage continues to rise, some Republican consultants think support for gay marriage could be a winning strategy for GOP candidates in the not-so-distant future.
Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) recently joined what's being dubbed the “Ken Mehlman sliver of the party” by conservatives and announced their support for same-sex marriage.
Portman is up for reelection in 2016 and has been a rumored presidential hopeful. And some consultants are
Organizing for Action signs up NGP VAN
by Sean J. Miller / Apr 05 2013
The consulting world has been waiting to see what President Obama’s campaign does with its data and technology from the 2012 race. On Friday, there was the first indication of how it plans to shift its resources into partisan technology firms.
Organizing for Action, the latest incarnation of OFA, will start logging all of its outreach efforts using the Voter Activation Network software and database. It's the first sign of a shift of OFA’s resources --
Democratic firm founded by John Balduzzi expands
by Geordy Boveroux / Apr 05 2013
The Democratic direct mail and opposition research firm The Balduzzi Group is adding a new partner and expanding into a full-service consulting firm.
The Syracuse, N.Y.-based firm, headed by John Balduzzi, has named Anthony Testa partner. With the addition of Testa the firm will now offer TV and radio services for clients.
Testa was previously a partner at Novak Media where his clients included New York Democratic Reps. Dan Maffei and Paul Tonko.
“Now we can come
AAPC honors hall of fame inductees
by Sean J. Miller / Apr 04 2013
President Obama’s top campaign strategists have entered the political pantheon home to names such as Karl Rove and James Carville.
The American Association of Political Consultants has included David Axelrod and David Plouffe in its 2013 inductees into its Hall of Fame.
“Many of our members have marveled at how David Axelrod and David Plouffe have mastered the art of the modern political campaign,” Dale Emmons, president of the AAPC, said in a statement. “These individuals
Utah governor signs disclosure bill NRA called 'dangerous'
by Sean J. Miller / Apr 03 2013
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) signed a controversial disclosure bill Tuesday.
HB 43 requires corporations, including not-for-profit corporations, disclose all donors and donation amounts when it makes a political issue expenditure of $750.
Groups ranging from the NRA to the ACLU opposed the law because it could require them to disclose their membership lists.
The NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action sent an email to supporters March 22 asking them to contact Herbert’s office to “respectfully request” he
Utah consultants wait for governor to sign disclosure bill opposed by NRA
by Sean J. Miller / Apr 01 2013
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) has signed a new push-poll bill into law but hasn’t yet added his signature to a controversial disclosure bill.
Both pieces of legislation were targeted at the state’s political consultants. HB 43 requires that a corporation, including not-for-profit corporations, disclose all donors and donation amounts when it makes a political issue expenditure of $750. The current law requires corporations only list how much they
Purple Strategies acquires Democratic polling firm
by Sean J. Miller / Mar 27 2013
Purple Strategies announced Wednesday that it has acquired Momentum Analysis, a Democratic polling firm noted for its research on "Walmart moms."
Margie Omero, who founded the firm in 2001, joins the bipartisan shop as managing director of its research division, Purple Insights.
“As our clients continue to look for innovative ways to reach audiences, Margie’s impressive career studying women and moms will be invaluable," Alex Castellanos, a
Utah governor poised to sign poll disclosure bill
by Sean J. Miller / Mar 25 2013
A mailer attacking former Utah state Rep. Brad Daw (R) and circulated among the state’s lawmakers last election cycle started a battle between the legislature and Utah’s political consultants. The consultants now appear to have lost—at least round one.
Two bills, HB 44 and HB 43, which require poll sponsorship disclosure and donor disclosure by 501(c)(4)s making at least $750 in political expenditures, are set to be signed by Utah Gov.
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