Organization  |  MIKE HUCKABEE page  

Huckabee for President

(page updated January 11, 2016)

announced May 5, 2015.
Headquarters: Little Rock, AR.
see also:
pre-campaign organization
  |  pro-Huckabee super PAC
.
>In contrast to some more secretive and closed-mouthed campaigns, Huckabee for President announced its national campaign team on May 7, 2015. 
>Politico reported on Dec. 17, 2015 that salaries were reduced for senior staff "over the past few weeks" and resources being shifted to Iowa (>).


Campaign Manager  Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Vice president (from Jan. 2014) and earlier director of strategic initiatives at Tsamoutales Strategies, a Tallahassee-based management consulting, business development and lobbying firm; joined the firm in 2011.  Senior advisor on Tom Cotton's 2014 campaign for U.S. Senate in Arkansas.  National campaign manager for The ONE Campaign.  Senior political advisor on Tim Pawlenty's Iowa Straw Poll effort in summer 2011.  Campaign manager on Rep. John Boozman's successful 2010 U.S. Senate campaign in Arkansas.  Headed HUCK PAC from its founding in April 2008.  National field director on Huckabee's 2007-08 presidential campaign.  Worked for about two years as a regional liaison for congressional affairs at the Department of Education in Washington, DC.   Field coordinator for President Bush’s re-election campaign in Ohio in 2004,  A field coordinator for Gov. Huckabee’s 2002 re-election campaign. Graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, 2004.  [Husband is Bryan Sanders who manages Little Rock office of The Wickers Group].  twitter


Senior Advisor  Chip Saltsman

General consultant on Chuck Fleischmann's 2010 and 2012 campaigns for Congress in TN-03.  Candidate for RNC chair in late 2008, but withdrew in early 2009.  Campaign manager on Huckabee's 2007-08 campaign (announced Feb. 1, 2007)  Senior political advisor for former Sen. Bill Frist's leadership PAC, VOLPAC.  Development director for Frist at the NRSC in the 2002 cycle.  Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party at age 30 in 1998 and through the 2000 cycle.  Administrative assistant to Gov. Don Sundquist (R-TN), 1994-98.  Graduate of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN, 1990.  Saltsman also has experience in IT consulting, banking, private equity and real estate, having served as a director at Harpeth Capital Investment Banking in Nashville and as founder and president of S&S Strategies.  twitter


Pollster and Media Strategist Bob Wickers

President and CEO of The Wickers Group from Jan. 2013.  Founder and CEO at Dresner, Wickers & Associates, LLC from Jan. 1993-Dec. 2012; the firm was the media consultant for Huckabee's 2007-08 campaign.  B.A. in political science from San Francisco State University, 1984.  twitter


Senior Policy Advisor  Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin

Elected lieutenant governor in 2014.  Elected to Congress in 2010 and re-elected in 2012. Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush.  Research director and deputy gommunications director for the RNC during the 2004 presidential campaign.  General counsel and managing director of Mercury Public Affairs, and is currently a senior advisor to Purple Strategies. G riffin is serving in his 18th year with the U.S. Army Reserve, was deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.


Political Director  Jim Terry

Longtime veteran of Capitol Hill, and has served as campaign manager, political director and advisor on some of the most high profile races in the nation and at the NRCC. Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. John Campbell (R-CA),.  Executive director of the Free Enterprise Fund.  Ran targeted legislative races in California and went on to serve in the California Legislature as deputy chief of staff to then Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.


Former Communications Director  Alice Stewart

(from the beginning of the campaign; reported no longer with the campaign on Dec. 14, 2015)  Radio host "The Alice Stewart Show."  Surrogate for Mitt Romney in the Fall 2012 campaign; national press secretary on Rick Santorum for President from mid-Feb. 2012; press secretary/ spokeswoman on Bachmann for President from June 2011.  Deputy Secretary of State in Arkansas, 2011.  Worked on communications for the NRSC and the NRCC in the 2010 midterm elections.  Managed state Sen. Gilbert Baker's 2010 campaign for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in Arkansas. Press secretary on Huckabee's 2007-08 presidential campaign; previously press secretary to Huckabee in the Governor's Office starting in September 2005.  A weekend anchor and reporter for KARK-TV in Little Rock; joined the station in 1998.  Started at a television station in Dothan, AL, and later worked at stations in Atlanta, GA and Savannah, GA.  Graduate of the Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia in Athens, 1988.  Atlanta native. twitter

Senior Communications Advisor  Hogan Gidley

Senior communications advisor at BrabenderCox from Aug. 2011; senior comunications advisor on Rick Santorum for President, announced July 2011.  Executive director of HUCK PAC (announced Feb. 2010).  Gidley served as communications director for Sen. Elizabeth Dole (NC)'s re-election campaign in 2008.  Executive director of the South Carolina Republican party in 2006-07.  Worked for Richard Quinn and Associates, where he served as campaign adviser and spokesperson to South Carolina Gov. David Beasley.  From 2000-04, Gidley worked in a variety of roles for Gov. Mike Huckabee, including director of media operations.  B.A. in journalism from University of Mississippi. twitter


Digital Strategist and Chief Technology Officer  Chris Maiorana

Partner and co-founder of LCM Strategies, and served as digital director for Huckabee for President in 2008. In 2011-12, he served as digital consultant to Sen. Rick Santorum and Gov. John Huntsman's presidential campaigns. He has also managed digital operations for numerous U.S. Senate and congressional campaigns throughout the country. Chris has also worked in various roles at the RNC, NRSC, and Sens. George Allen's and Bill Frist's senior campaign staff.


Media Consultant  Bryan Sanders

Partner at the Wickers Group, and has done polling, message development, and produced award-winning television, video and radio advertising for the firm's major clients, including Gov. Mike Huckabee (AR), Gov. Robert Bentley (AL), Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (TX), Attorney General Scott Pruitt (OK), State Treasurer Lynn Fitch (MS), U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-AR), and U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL). In 2011, Campaign and Elections Magazine named Bryan one of its "Rising Stars of American Politics."

Director of Media Placement  Carolyn Barber

Partner at the Wickers Group and is one of the top political media directors in America. She has over a decade of political media planning and placement experience overseeing the television, radio, print, outdoor and digital advertising campaigns. Carolyn managed the media placement for Huckabee's 2008 campaign for President. In the 2014 cycle, she directed the statewide placement for Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Robert Bentley of Alabama, U.S. Rep. French Hill and numerous additional Wickers Group clients.

Media Creative Director & Advisor  Jim Ferguson

An adman for over 30 years, having worked on the Bush-Cheney 2000 presidential campaign and the Romney-Ryan 2012 presidential campaign.  President/Chief Creative Officer of Young & Rubicam/New York, Vice-Chairman/Chief Creative Officer of DDB/Dallas and Chicago, and Senior Vice-President/Creative Director of Leo Burnett/Chicago. During his career, Ferguson has garnered over 250 national and international creative awards, for clients such as McDonald's, Hallmark, The Beef Industry Council, Tabasco, Nationwide Insurance, Sony, and the National Football League. His McDonald's commercial "Nothing But Net", featuring Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, was named the best Super Bowl ad over the last 25 years by USAToday. He is also credited with writing the feature film, Little Giants, for Stephen Spielberg's Amblin Production.

Director/Filmaker  Miles Hargrove

Director, cinematographer, and editor at Kilometric Films. He has worked on three "Harry Potter" films, "Fast and the Furious", and most recently directed "The Starck Club." Born in Abilene and raised in the Philippines, Hargrove and his family moved to Colombia when he was in his teens and soon after his father was kidnapped for ransom by leftist rebels, whose story formed the basis of the movie "Proof of Life," starring Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan. Hargrove has worked extensively in Sierra Leone to shoot and edit the documentary film "Forgotten Diamonds" and short film "Road to Change."

Senior Leadership Director  Chadwick Gallagher

Founder and senior consultant with Legacy Consulting, and started working with Gov. Huckabee in 1992. Since 2012 he has overseen and ran the Governor's leadership PAC. Prior to opening his own firm, Gallagher worked in Huckabee's 2008 bid for the White House and served as his political director during his last term as Arkansas' governor. In this capacity Gallagher handled appointments, city, county and local affairs and the liaison the Governor's relationship with the White House, Bush campaign, RNC, RGA, NGA, the state GOP, and candidates.

Deputy Campaign Manager Jordan Powell

Powell served as founder and president of RedRight Strategies and provided strategic advice and digital consulting services to campaigns for governor, Congress, and the state house.  Senior advisor, campaign manager, and spokesman for U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's 2010 and 2012 campaigns, as well as working in his Capitol Hill office.  Served on the staff of Gov. Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign.

Director of Research and Rapid Response  Jack Sisson

Sisson has a mix of Capitol Hill and campaign experience. For four years, he worked for Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), covering a range of domestic issues as a legislative assistant, including health care, entitlements, labor and telecommunications.  Campaign manager for newly-elected U.S. Rep. French Hill (AR-2).  His professional career began under Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) where he held various positions in a campaign and official capacity.

Policy Coordinator  Pratik Chougule

Served as a George W. Bush appointee at the State Department in the Office of the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security.  He has helped a number of fmr. government officials with the writing and research of their memoirs. J.D. from Yale Law School and A.B. from Brown University. 

Director of Advance  Aaron Chang

Over twenty years of experience in event planning and production.  Government and political experience includes serving as an advance representative for President George W. Bush, managing director of gredentialing for the first post-9/11 presidential inauguration, deputy director of credentialing for the G8 Summit in 2004, and director of advance for Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert. He also facilitated the start-up operation of the Washington Nationals, serving as event services manager responsible for game day operations at RFK Stadium. 

Personal Aide, Gov. Mike Huckabee  Steele Shippy

Shippy has worked for Oklahoma U.S. Sen. James Lankford and for Victory Enterprises, a Missouri-based GOP political consulting firm. He has done advance and staffing work for candidates and 501c4 organizations around the country. Steele was 2007 Missouri State Wrestling Champion.

Chief of Staff, First Lady Janet Huckabee  David John

Served in Gov. Huckabee's administration and worked on his campaign for president in 2008, and later was political director at HuckPAC. Since 2012, he has worked in the Arkansas Secretary of State's office as Director of Creative Services.


FINANCE

National Finance Coordinator  Alice Tadlock

Senior vice president at Capital Campaigns and has more than decade of experience in campaign fundraising. In 2007, she served as the California finance director for Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign. She has also performed work for political clients including the RNC, Mitt Romney's Commonwealth PAC, U.S. Rep. Mimi Walters, U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, former U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, former U.S. Rep. Mary Bono, and several US Senators. 

Senior Digital and Finance Advisor  Linus Catignani

Partner and co-founder of LCM Strategies, and has worked as a political fundraising and online marketing consultant for a number of federal office holders including former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and U.S. Sen. John Thune, among others. During the 2002 election cycle, he served as director of finance and administration of the NRSC, where he managed a historically successful $120 million fundraising operation.

Senior Finance Advisor  Stacy DeJarnette

Has worked in politics for over 20 years and was Arkansas state finance director for the presidential campaigns of Sen. John McCain and Gov. Mitt Romney.  National finance director for Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign. She has also held the position of finance director of the Republican Party of Arkansas and was most recently finance director for Asa Hutchinson's campaign for Governor of Arkansas.

Director of Major Donors and Bundlers  Katy Faulk

Has provided fundraising and event management services for over 13 years; founded her firm, KLF & Company, in Aug. 2007.  Her most recent projects include serving as lead fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, and U.S. Sen. John Boozman.  She has also served as a regional field finance director for the RNC during the 2014 cycle and as fundraiser for several judicial, state senate, and statewide races including Asa Hutchinson's gubernatorial race in 2006.

Regional Finance Director  Cathy Lanier

Has worked as a fundraising consultant on various campaigns at both the state and national level, most recently serving as finance director for French Hill's successful bid for U.S. Congress.  Past campaigns include Arkansas Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin's congressional race and Gov. Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

Regional Finance Director  Jenna Recker

Has state and federal fundraising experience. As a native of Nebraska, she has worked for Gov. Dave Heineman, was deputy finance director for Attorney General Jon Bruning's campaign for U.S. Senate, and finance director for the Nebraska Republican Party. Most recently, Jenna served at deputy finance director for Asa Hutchinson's campaign for governor and finance director for his Inauguration.


Endorsements
Social Conservative and Family Values Leaders

(announced Jan. 11, 2016)
Dr. Tim LaHaye, minister and author of the New York Times best-selling Left Behind book series
Dr. Jim Garlow, Senior Pastor of SkyLine Church, host of the Garlow Perspective
Art Ally, founder and president of Timothy Plan, America’s first pro-life and pro-family mutual fund company
Mark Harris, North Carolina Pastor
Joni Eareckson Tada, radio host and founder of Joni and Friends International Disability Center
Joshua Feuerstein, social media Christian advocate and former television and radio evangelist
Dr. Eric M. Wallace, President & Co-Founder of Freedom’s Journal Institute
Rev. Dr. Cecil Williamson, a founding pastor of Warrior Presbytery and the PCA in Selma, Ala.
Ken Eldred, entrepreneur & philanthropist
Janet Folger Porter, Founder and President Faith2Action


IOWA
www.mikehuckabee.com/iowahttps://www.facebook.com/TeamHuckIowa       

Headquarters: 3100 100th St., Urbandale   ...Huckabee did grand opening on the evening of June 30, 2015

State Director  Aaron Trost

(announced Aug. 27, 2015)  Senior associate at the Singularis Group.  Campaign manager on Deb Fischer for U.S. Senate in Nebraska, 2011-12.  Direct mail consultant with the Singularis Group.  Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  Illinois native.

Field Representatives
Bonnie Brezina

From Knoxville, Tennessee.  Campaign manager on Knox County Commissioner Richard Briggs, M.D.'s 2014 primary campaign for state Senate in Tennessee.  Campaign manager on Weston Wamp's 2012 Repubilcan primary challenge in Tennessee's 3rd CD (lost to incumbent U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann).  Worked on Zach Wamp's 2010 campaign for governor.

Kris Ortale


Ryan Pope


Politico reported on Dec. 17, 2015 that the campaign has 13 full-time paid staffers in Iowa.

State Leadership Team 
(
announced Aug, 16, 2015; additions announced Aug. 27, 2015; more additions announced Oct. 29, 2015)
State Rep. Tedd Gassman (District 7, Scarville)

First elected in 2012, district covers Winnebago, Emmet and part of Kossuth Counties.  Taught school until 1975.  B.S.E from Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD, 1965.  Grew up in South Dakota.

Mayor Shane McCampbell - Mayor, Burlington

Elected to the City Council in 2011; elected Mayor by the City Council in Jan. 2014.  Pastor at Shinar Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Brad Sherman - State Chair 'Pastors for Huckabee'

Pastor at Solid Rock Church in Coralville since Jan. 1981; founder/director of Purpose Ministries.

Randy Davis - State Grassroots Chair, 'Mike Huckabee for Iowa'

Drawing Closer Ministries in Ottumwa.

Barbie Miller - Outreach Director, 'Mike Huckabee for Iowa'

Longtime Huckabee supporter, retired nurse from Clive.

Lori Jungling - National Grassroots Director, 'Mike Huckabee for President'

Longtime Huckabee supporter, supported Santorum in 2011-12.  From Altoona.
 

Coalitions:  'Homeschoolers for Huckabee', 'Pastors for Huckabee', 'FairTax for Huckabee', 'Students for Huckabee' and 'Veterans for Huckabee'

Terry Amann - Co-Chair 'Pastors for Huckabee'
(reported Aug. 26, 2015)  Pastor at Walnut Creek Church in Windsor Heights.


229 County Leaders; 79 Total County Chairs


More Endorsements

Barb Heki - homeschool/grassroots conservative activist (announced Oct. 21, 2015)
Julie Roe - conservative activist from Eldora (announced Oct. 23, 2015)



SOUTH CAROLINA
www.mikehuckabee.com/south-carolina

State Director  Hope Walker

(announced May 4, 2015)  State director of the South Carolina Republican Party from Jan. 2015.  RNC South Carolina state director, Sept. 2013-Dec. 2014.  Political director (Jan.-Sept. 2013), member services director (Feb. 2012-Jan. 2013), finance assistant (May 2011-Jan. 2012) and intern (Dec. 2008-May 2009) for the South Carolina Republican Party.  Assistant in the office of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, Aug. 2010-Jan. 2011. Political fundraiser/event coordinator for Black Label Strategy, 2009-10.  B.A. in political science from Newberry College, 2011 and served as student body president, 2010-11.  From Irmo, SC.  twitter

Field Director Brice Futch

(July 2015)  Worked in various positions for Word of Life Fellowship, Jan. 2012-July 2015.  twitter


State Leadership Team
(
announced Aug, 16, 2015; more additions announced Oct. 29, 2015)
State Steering Committee Chair Rep. Greg Delleney, Jr. - Chair, House Judiciary Committee
The Honorable Andre Bauer - Former Lt. Governor
The Honorable Mark McBride - Former Mayor of Myrtle Beach
State Chair Sportsmen for Huckabee - George Thornton, Edgefield County
State Chair Homeschoolers for Huckabee - Mrs. Lori Peardon, Anderson County
State Chair Students for Huckabee - Aaron Kirby, University of South Carolina
State Chair Fairtax for Huckabee - Wilma Storey, Lexington County
State Chair Teachers for Huckabee - Steve Knight, York County
State Chair Young Professionals for Huckabee - David Carter
Rep. Dennis Moss - District 29, Gaffney
Ransey Bowers
Charlie Speight


BUSINESS LEADERS FOR HUCKABEE
Norman Dunagan, Jr. - Aiken County Chair and Business Leaders for Huckabee
Costas Bakogiannis - Business Leaders for Huckabee
Dr. Michelle Jasper - Business Leaders for Huckabee
Karen Masters - Business Leaders for Huckabee
William Renfrow - Business Leaders for Huckabee
Don Roy - Business Leaders for Huckabee
Perry Burton - Business Leaders for Huckabee
Jimmy Hancock
David Shehan
Kim Shehan
Todd Watson

 

STUDENTS FOR HUCKABEE LEADERSHIP
Aaron Kirby - Chapter Chairman, University of South Carolina
Jessica Allen - University of South Carolina Co-Chair
Anna Cox - Chapter Chairman, Anderson University
Stephen Hughes - Chapter Chair, Bob Jones University
Gracin Watson - Chapter Chairman Students for Huckabee, Clemson University
Brooks Allen - Newberry College Chair


PASTORS FOR HUCKABEE
Pastor Bobby Byrd
Rev. Joseph Clayton
Dr. Eddie Coakley
Pastor William Feus
Pastor Joe Hayes Jr
Pastor Tony Jones
Pastor Mike Price
Pastor Bill Randall
Dr. Clyde P. Thomas
Dr. Leon Winn

 
242 Total Leaders
33 County Organizations
24 County Chairs



MORE STATES
ALABAMA

Endorsement 
Secretary of State John Merrill

(announced Nov. 3, 2015)  Elected Secretary of State in Nov. 2014.  Business development officer at First Federal Bank, Feb. 2011-Jan. 2015.  Served two terms as state representative, Nov. 2010-Nov. 2014.  Director of community relations and community education for Tuscaloosa County Schools, Dec. 1994-Dec. 2010.  Director of business development for the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, 1993-94.  Assistant director of the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, 1990-93.  National account executive for Randall Publishing Company, 1988-90.  B.A. in political science and history from the University of Alabama, 1987.  Grew up in Heflin.



ARKANSAS

State Leadership Team (announced Sept. 28, 2015)
Chair  Gov. Asa Hutchinson
Chair  U.S. Sen. John Boozman
(May 2015)


State Steering Committee
Lt. Governor Tim Griffin, Co-Chair
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, Co-Chair
Secretary of State Mark Martin
State Treasurer Dennis Milligan
Land Commissioner John Thurston
RNC Committeeman Jonathan Barnett


State Legislative Committee
Sen. Alan Clark
Sen. Bryan King
Sen. Jason Rapert, Co-Chair
Sen. Matthew Shepherd
Sen. Gary Stubblefield

Sen. Jon Woods

Rep. Karilyn Brown

Rep. Donnie Copeland
Rep. Charlene Fite
Rep. Mickey Gates, Co-Chair
Rep. Justin Harris
Rep. Prissy Hickerson
Rep. Jack Ladyman
Rep. Julie Mayberry
Rep. Laurie Rushing
Rep. Nelda Speaks
Rep. James Sturch
Rep. Dwight Tosh
Rep. David Wallace
Rep. Richard Womack


State Grassroots Co-Chairs

Julie Harris - 2016 NFRW Secretary
Larry Toller



GEORGIA

State Leadership Team (announced Sept. 28, 2015)
Chair  Former Gov. Sonny Perdue


State Steering Committee  Former U.S. Rep. John Linder


Co-Chairs of State Legislative Committee:

  Rep. Sam Teasley

  Rep. Tom Kirby

State Grassroots Co-Chairs: 

  Phil Dacosta  twitter
  Col. Larry Mrozinski



NORTH CAROLINA

State Leadership Team (announced Sept. 28, 2015)

Chair  Former U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor -  served eight terms, Jan. 1991-Jan. 2007; defeated in Nov. 2006.
Pastor Mark Harris - pastor of First Baptist Church of Charlotte; candidate for GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in 2014 finishing third in the May primary.


State Steering Committee  New Hanover County Commissioner Woody White


State Grassroots Co-Chair  Wayne Langston



SOUTH DAKOTA

Endorsement
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (SD) (announced Sept. 1, 2015)



TENNESSEE

State Leadership Team (announced Sept. 28, 2015)
Chair  U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (CD-3, Eastern TN incl. Chattanooga)


Co-Chair  Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Jr.


Co-Chairs of State Legislative Committee:
  Sen. Ed Jackson
  Rep. Barry Doss
  Rep. Cameron Sexton


State Grassroots Chair  Phil Cavendar


State Director  David Kustoff
Attorney at Kustoff & Strickland, PLLC in Memphis.  Served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, 2006-08.  Chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party from 1995-99.  B.B.A. (1989) and J.D. (1992) from University of Memphis.




ADVERTISEMENT