Potomac Flacks

Former Kyl Flack Wilder Named Communications Director for Flake Senate Bid

First reported in Roll Call’s “Shop Talk” column, Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) named Andrew Wilder as Communications Director for his Senate campaign. 

Wilder, a third-generation Arizonan, served in the same position for retiring Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), whose seat Flake is running for.  Wilder handled media for Kyl for nearly 13 years in both his Capitol Hill and Phoenix offices. He left that job last week.

"He is well-known as a skilled communicator who brings a wealth of experience with media in Arizona and on Capitol Hill that will be helpful to this campaign," Flake said in a statement.

Before serving Sen. Kyl, Wilder worked for the House Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs as a Professional Staff member / Clerk, as a Media Research Analyst at the Republican National Committee, as a producer at KTAR News/Talk Radio, as an Arizona-based aide for Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and at KFYI News/Talk Radio.

Wilder is a native of Phoenix and a graduate of the University of Arizona.  (Roll Call’s “Shop Talk” / PF reporting)

Another Job of the Week - Seeking Communications Consultant

Seeking Communications Director!

Experienced, organized media relations expert sought to direct an aggressive on-the-ground earned media effort for a public affairs campaign in ten states. The DC-based position oversees and directs the state-based communications efforts of a national coalition and provides strategic support and guidance to in-state communications efforts, including but not limited to the creation of campaign materials, pitching local events, strategic planning of earned media events, leveraging high profile surrogates, media monitoring and tracking, calculation of impact metrics, and regular reporting of activities in verbal and written formats.

Successful candidates will have experience in coalition communications settings, the ability to motivate others, strong writing and communications skills, experience with media relations and an understanding of campaign environments.  The ability to work well under pressure and with tight deadlines is important. The position is a six month engagement and contract based only. (PF Tipster)

Interested parties should send resume, two writing samples and references to  Michelle@blueenginemedia.com.  No phone calls please.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Bachmann’s Congressional Spokesman Sachtleben Departs

Doug Sachtleben, Communications Director for Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), announced late Friday that he was departing her office to serve in the same role for Rep. John Fleming (R-LA).

Sachtleben said Press Secretary Becky Rogness was remaining in the office, implying that she would handle media inquiries.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Sachtleben was also serving (part time) as Deputy Press Secretary on her presidential campaign since July 2011. 

Sachtleben said, “ I leave Rep. Bachmann’s office with nothing but the highest regard for Michele. It has been a pleasure working for her and I continue to admire and appreciate her unwavering conservatism.”

Sachtleben formerly worked as a communications aide at the House Republican Conference and as a correspondent at SRN News.

He’s a native of Clifton, NJ and a graduate of Temple University.  (PF reporting)

Bachmann Hires Veteran Iowa Operative Woolson to Lead Communications for Iowa Caucus

Republican presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) recently announced that her team has retained Iowa campaign veteran Eric Woolson to lead its communications efforts in the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

Woolson managed Gov. Mike Huckabee's (R-AR) campaign in Iowa in 2008, and most recently, he was a senior adviser to the presidential campaign of former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN). With more than 20 years of experience as a print journalist in Iowa, Woolson went on to serve as Gov. Terry Branstad's (R-IA) Communications Director and Press Secretary.

Prior to his service in the governor's office, Woolson was the Iowa Communications Director for George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign, and served on the communications teams of the previous three Republican National Conventions. In 2010, he provided counsel to Iowa gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats and congressional candidate Mariannette Miller-Meeks in addition to serving as the spokesman for Sen. Charles Grassley's (R-IA) re-election campaign.  (PF tipster)

Santorum Campaign Announces Communications Team

The presidential campaign of former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) today announced their senior communications team for 2012:

John Brabender will serve as a Senior Advisor and Media Consultant to the campaign.  In addition to serving as Senator Santorum's media consultant since his first congressional race in 1990, Brabender, Chief Creative Officer of BrabenderCox,a Republican media firm that has worked with Governor Tom Corbett (R-PA), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) and Sen. Tom oburn (R-OK).

Virginia Davis will serve as a Senior Communications Advisor and Spokeswoman for the Senator, providing strategic communications advice to the campaign.  Davis previously served as Press Secretary to Senator Santorum's 2006 Senate campaign, as well as a Communications Advisor to his America's Foundation PAC from 2007 - 2011.  Prior to joining Sen. Santorum's team, Davis served as Press Secretary to Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Deputy Press Secretary to Sen. John Thune's (R-SD) 2002 campaign.

Matthew Beynon will serve as Deputy Communications Director to the campaign, where he will implement the campaign's overall media and policy strategy, serve as the primary point of contact for all media requests, and handle Sen. Santorum's national media outreach.  Beynon previously served as a legislative aide to Sen. Santorum from 2003 - 2007.  Since leaving Sen. Santorum's Capitol Hill office, Beynon has served as an advisor to the Senator's America's Foundation PAC and a consultant with a Pittsburgh-based management consulting firm.

Leading Senator Santorum's new media operations will be emotive, llc, led by Peter Pasi.  Emotive has earned a reputation as one of the most creative e-campaign consulting teams in politics today.  Emotive's previous clients include Governor John Kasich, Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican National Committee, the Club for Growth, and American Crossroads.

Seth Leibsohn, who was announced earlier this year as Director of Policy and Speechwriting, will also be a part of the communications team.  (PF tipster)

Hauser Named Communications Director for Tim Pawlenty for President Campaign

First reported in Politico’s “Playbook,” Ann Marie Hauser has been named Communications Director for the Tim Pawlenty for President campaign.

She joins Press Secretary Alex Conant at the campaign headquarters in Minneapolis today.

Hauser most recently handled corporate communications at JPMorgan Chase in New York City as Vice President, Media Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility.

Previously, she was Communications Director for Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE), Director of Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Spokeswoman for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Treasury, and served as a Regional Press Secretary at the Republican National Committee in the 2006 cycle and Iowa Communications Director for Bush-Cheney 2004.

She began her career as an Associate at the White House Writers Group. 

Hauser is a graduate of Texas A&M University.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)

NH GOP’s Williams Returns to Romney as Regional Press Secretary

Ryan Williams, the former spokesman for the New Hampshire Republican Party, is returning the Mitt Romney’s eventual presidential campaign as Regional Press Secretary, reports the New Hampshire Union Leader’s John DiStaso.

Williams served the NH GOP in the 2010 cycle and was Director of Broadcast Media for Romney’s campaign in 2008.  In between he was Communications Director for then-Sen. John Sununu’s (R-NH) U.S. Senate campaign.

Williams also worked Gov. Romney from 2005-2007 on Beacon Hill.

According to Distaso, Williams will be based in Boston but is expected to “spend a significant amount of time” in New Hampshire.  (New Hampshire Union Leader)

Romney Taps Gitcho as Communications Director

Today, the Romney for President Exploratory Committee announced that Gail Gitcho, a 10-year veteran of Republican campaigns and elections, will serve as Communications Director.

Gitcho most recently served as U.S. Senator Scott Brown’s (R-MA) Communications Director in Washington, where she helped manage a barrage of press for Brown after he found himself in the limelight for his come-from-behind victory to replace Ted Kennedy.

She also served as National Press Secretary for the Republican National Committee from 2009 to 2010.  Prior to that, she was Mid-Atlantic Communications Director for John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid.  She started the 2008 presidential cycle as a Regional Press Secretary for Romney for President.  She was also Communications Director for U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw (R-FL) from 2004 to 2007. 

Gitcho is a graduate of Ripon College.  (PF tipster)

Hill, Campaign Vet Kincaid Hired as Communications Director for Sen. McCaskill

First reported in Politico’s “Playbook” and the Washington Post’s “Morning Fix”, Trevor Kincaid has been hired as Communications Director for Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO).

Kincaid was the lead spokesperson for Sen. Michael Bennet's (D-CO) successful 2010 campaign.

Kincaid previously served as Communications Director for Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and former Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX).

According to Politico, Kincaid got to penetrate McCaskill's world while working with her senior adviser Adrianne Marsh, who was on lease in 2010 to serve as Bennet's Deputy Campaign Manager.

Kincaid is a native of Druham, NC and a graduate of Florida State University.  (Politico’s “Playbook” and the Washington Post’s “Morning Fix”)

DNC Spokeswoman Hoffine Joins Kaine’s U.S. Senate Campaign

Brandi Hoffine, a spokeswoman at the Democratic National Committee (DNC), will be following recently resigned DNC Chairman and former Gov.  Tim Kaine (D-VA) to serve as Press Secretary on his newly announced U.S. Senate campaign.

According to news reports, Hoffine will work with Kaine senior adviser Mo Ellithee in overseeing the campaign’s communications.

Hoffine has served in communications and research capacities at the DNC and also worked at Deloitte Consulting after graduating from Claremont McKenna College in 2006.  (PF tipster)