Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee – 2015

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(updated March 16, 2016) disclaimer

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Chairman Rep. Ben Ray Luján (NM)

(announced Nov. 17, 2014) Served as chairman of BOLD PAC, which raises money for Congressional Hispanic Caucus members and candidates, in the 2014 cycle. Elected to Congress representing the NM-3 in Nov. 2008. Chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, 2005-07; member of the Commission, 2004-08. Director of administrative services and chief financial officer at the New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department. Bachelor's degree in business administration from New Mexico Highlands University, 2007, after attending University of New Mexico. Grew up in Nambe, NM, a farming community north of Santa Fe. twitter

Senior Advisor to the Chairman Aaron Trujillo

(announced Jan. 13, 2015) Associate Director for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Commerce. Worked in the U.S. House from Jan. 2009-Jan. 2014, most recently as senior policy advisor to Rep. Luján. Grew up in El Rancho, NM.

Senior Advisor to the Chairman Dan Sena

(see below)

National Chairs

Candidate Services - Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL)

Finance - Rep. Don Beyer (VA)
Mobilization - Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC)

Committees
Frontline Program - Rep. Dan Kildee (MI)
Recruitment Chair - Rep. Danny Heck (WA)
Recruitment Vice Chair - Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL)

heads a 25-member recruitment committee (reported by CQ Roll Call on Jan. 8, 2015)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Kelly Ward

(reported by Roll Call on Nov. 20, 2014) Also served as DCCC executive director throughout the 2014 cycle, served as DCCC political director in the 2012 cycle, and directed the DCCC's incumbent retention efforts in the 2010 cycle. Campaign manager on Alan Khazei's campaign for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in the Massachusetts special election (Dec. 8, 2009 primary). Director of America Forward, a coalition of non-profits, starting in Aug. 2007. Executive director of The Project for Arizona's Future, first part of 2007. Campaign manager on Harry Mitchell for Congress, 2006. Special projects in the Office of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. Master's degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government; bachelor's degree in political science and Spanish from the University of Arizona, 2002. Las Vegas native. twitter

Deputy Executive Director for Finance and Political Director to Democratic Leader Pelosi Missy Kurek

(reported by Roll Call on Nov. 20, 2014) Served as DCCC deputy executive director throughout the 2014 cycle; this is Kurek's sixth cycle at the DCCC...in 2012 she was a national finance director focusing on the national individual donor program; in the 2010 cycle she was one of two deputy national finance directors. Bachelor's degree in international relations from Syracuse University. twitter

Deputy Executive Director and Political Director Ian Russell

(announced Jan. 13, 2015...oversee candidate recruitment and incumbent protection, including the DCCC’s Red-to-Blue and Frontline programs) DCCC campaign and candidate recruitment director in the 2014 cycle. DCCC regional political director for the Midwest in 2012 cycle. Consultant at Vanguard Strategies, LLC from June 2008, and managed Tom White for Congress, 2010. Legislative aide to state Sen. Tom White, 2007-08. Field and campaign director for the Nebraska Democratic Party, 2004-06. twitter

Deputy Executive Director for Outreach and Voter Contact and Senior Advisor to Chairman Luján Dan Sena

(announced Jan. 13, 2015...oversee field and targeting) Campaign manager for the successful re-election of Sen. Tom Udall in New Mexico in 2014. Political director at the DGA in 2011-12. During the 2010 election cycle, Sena worked in Nevada with Patriot Majority, a 527 group, to help secure the re-election of Sen. Harry Reid. In 2008 "he led efforts" in New Mexico to elect Tom Udall to the U.S. Senate. Field director on Gov. Bill Richardson's presidential campaign, 2007. Deputy political director at the Democratic Governors' Association in 2006. Managed day to day operations at Richardson's Moving America Forward PAC. Worked at Sue Burnside & Associates in Los Angeles from 1998-2004. Master's degree from GWU's Graduate School of Political Management, 1997; B.A. in political science and economics from the University of Arizona. Originally from Santa Fe, NM.

Deputy Executive Director and Director of Strategic Messaging Ty Matsdorf

(announced Jan. 13, 2015...coordinate the Communications, Research and Policy Departments) On leave from position as senior vice president at the Messina Group. Also served as campaigns and communications director at Senate Majority PAC in the 2014 cycle. War room director/senior advisor at American Bridge 21st Century in the 2012 cycle. Briefly communications director to Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT) in early 2011, after serving as senior advisor to his camapign. Communications director to Sen. Max Baucus (MT), and earlier press secretary and previously deputy press secretary, starting in 2006. Graduate of the University of Montana. twitter

Deputy Executive Director for Digital Communications and Fundraising Brandon English

(announced Jan. 13, 2015) DCCC digital director in the 2014 and 2012 cycles; DCCC online communications manager during the 2008 cycle; managed micro-sites and e-mail campaigns for the DCCC's Independent Expenditure Program in 2006. Graduate of Brown University, 2006. twitter

MORE SENIOR STAFf

Chief Operating Officer and Senior Advisor Hayley Dierker

(announced Jan. 13, 2015...managing day to day operations) COO and senior advisor at the DCCC in 2014 cycle; chief of staff to DCCC chair Israel in 2012 cycle. Scheduler and then deputy chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Scott Murphy, 2009-10; scheduler to U.S. Rep. Don Cazayoux (LA), 2009. Scheduler and press assistant on Paul Babbitt's 2004 campaign for Congress. Administrative associate to the Provost and Vice President at Northern Arizona University. B.S. in political science and public relations from Northern Arizona University. Originally from Encinitas, CA.

Chief Financial Officer Jackie Forte-Mackay

(overseeing the Committee's finances and compliance reporting) Has served as the DCCC's CFO for eleven cycles.

POLITICAL

Political Director Ian Russell
see above

Regional Political Directors
West Danny Kazin

Campaign manager on U.S. Rep. Ami Bera's 2014 re-election campaign in CA-7.

Mountain West Jenn Ridder

Deputy campaign manager on U.S. Sen. Mark Udall (CO)'s 2014 re-election campaign, narrowly defeated by U.S. Rep. Cory Cardner. Deputy political director on Obama's 2012 re-election campaign. Climate reality associate at The Climate Reality Project. Worked on Obama's 2008 campaign in Colorado. Graduate of Middlebury College, 2010.

Great Lakes/Midwest Jason Bresler

Worked for 4CM&M, the media and strategy firm. Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Bill Enyart (IL), and previously his campaign manager.

South Andrew Piatt

(also served as South regional in the 2014 cycle, announced Feb. 2013; worked for the DCCC's IE in 2012) Previous experience includes campaign manager on U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer's (MI) unsuccessful 2010 campaign for re-election.

Northeast Justin Myers

Campaign manager on U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell's win over U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman in the June 2012 Democratic primary. Field director on U.S. Rep. Jim Himes' (CT) 2010 re-election campaign.

FIELD

Director of Targeting and Analytics Christina Coloroso

(March 2015) Previously DCCC director of targeting and analytics (Feb. 2013-March 2015) and Western regional targeting director (March 2012-Feb. 2013). Analyst at Lincoln Park Strategies, 2011-12. Data analyst/traffic manager at MSHC Partners, Fall 2010. Worked in Utah for Utah Common Values and for the Utah Democratic Party, 2007-08. M.P.P. from Georgetown University, 2010; B.A. degrees in political science and mass communications from University of Utah, 2007. twitter

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director Matt Thornton

(2015) Communications director for House Majority PAC, 2014. Senior communications advisor to American Bridge 21st Century, Aug. 2011-Jan. 2013. Communications director to U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Aug. 2009-Aug. 2011. Communications consultant on Joe Manchin for Senate, Oct.-Nov. 2010. Communications director to U.S. Rep. Zack Space (OH-18), May 2007-Aug. 2009; communications director on Zack Space for Congress, Aug.-Nov. 2008. Online communications director on Jim Davis for Governor (FL), Oct. 2005-Nov. 2006. Operations coordinator on Allyson Schwartz for Congress (PA-13), Feb.-Nov. 2004. Master of government administration (2003) and B.A. in political science and American history (2001) from University of Pennsylvania. twitter

Deputy Communications Director Christiana Stephenson

(March 2015) Director of broadcast media at American Bridge 21st Century, April 2015-March 2015. Associate consultant at APCO Worldwide, Aug. 2011-April 2014. A.B. in ethnomusicology, international relations from Brown University, 2011. From Maine. twitter

National Press Secretary Meredith Kelly

Previously New York press secretary for Sen. Charles Schumer. Graduate of Boston College. twitter

Regional Press Secretaries

West Barb Solish

(April 2015) Communications director to U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), July 2013-March 2015; communications director on Rep. Sanchez' re-election campaign, May 2014-March 2015. Press secretary (Jan.-June 2013), deputy press secretary (Jan. 2012-Jan. 2013) and press assistant (July 2011-Jan. 2012) to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Worked in the story development and casting department at HBO, Jan.-June 2011. B.A. in political science from U.S.C., 2011. twitter

Mountain West Tyler Law

(April 2015) Communications director (June-Nov. 2014) and press secretary (April 2013-June 2014) at Ro Khanna for Congress. Organizer (June-Nov. 2012) and operations coordinator at Kaine for Virginia. B.A. in economic and political science from Bucknell University, 2011. twitter

Great Lakes/Midwest Sacha Haworth

Assistant communications director to U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (MN) through Dec. 2014. twitter

South Jermaine House

(April 2015) Communications director for U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, Dec. 2014-April 2015. Public affairs director for DC Councilwoman Anita Bonds, June-Dec. 2014. Communications director on Jack Evans for Mayor campaign (DC), June 2013-May 2014. Press secretary on Anita Bonds for DC City Council, Feb.-May 2013. Michigan deputy press secretary on the Obama campaign, March-Dec. 2012. Associate producer at Marshall, Johnson, Torrey Communications, Jan. 2011-Feb. 2012. Legislative aide/LC in the U.S. House, June 2009-Dec. 2010. B.A. in English Language and Literature from Morehouse College, 2008. twitter

Northeast Jeb Fain

(Feb. 2015) Consultant at Ralston Lapp Media, 2014. Communications director to U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty (CT), Jan. 2013-Jan. 2014; communications director on Friends of Elizabeth Esty, Jan.-Dec. 2012. Press secretary on Arcuri for Congress (Utica, NY), Aug.-Nov. 2010. Deputy communications director/tracker for the Democratic Party of Georgia, May-Dec. 2008. B.A. in political science from Emory University, 2008. twitter

Press Assistant Camille Padilla

twitter

RESEARCH

Research Director Matt Fuehrmeyer

Capitol Hill experience includes director of member services for the U.S. Senate Democrats' Policy and Communications Center, 2011-12. Campaign experience includes research director on Al Franken's campaign for U.S. Senate in 2008, and work on former Sen. John Edwards' 2008 presidential campaign. Graduate of Valparaiso University.Originally from Plainfield, IL. twitter

Deputy Research Director for Rapid Response Stephanie Nielsen

...

Deputy Research Director Ryan McInerney

Previously DCCC West regional research analyst in the 2014 cycle, June 2013-Feb. 2015. Legislative director at the California Institute for Federal Policy Research, Nov. 2012-Aug. 2013. Research associate for Obama for America/DNC in Chicago, June-Nov. 2012. Judicial fellow at the Orange County Superior Court, Sept. 2011-June 2012. Extern and research positions in Las Vegas. Research associate at HSCommunications, Inc. Oct. 2007-July 2008. Media research and monitoring coordinator on Phil Angelides for Goveror (CA), June-Nov. 2006. J.D. from UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, 2011; B.A. in political science from UC Irvine, 2007.

Regional Research Directors
West Nicole DeMont

Previously a research analyst at the DCCC, July 2014-Feb. 2015. Communications assistant on Mike Honda for Congress. M.A. in communication, 2014 and B.A. in political science, 2014 from Stanford University.

Mountain West Rachele Fortier

Previously a research analyst at the DCCC from Sept. 2013. English language teaching assistant at the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, Sept. 2012-May 2013. Research assistant at the DCCC, March-Sept. 2012. Intern to U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, Jan.-March 2012. Substitute teacher, Dec. 2011-Jan. 2012. Dock attendant supervisor, May-Sept. 2011. B.A. in political science and international relations, Spanish from McDaniel College, 2011.

Great Lakes/Midwest Matt Lockeed

...

South Meera Sriram

(March 2015) Started as a research intern, Aug.-Dec. 2011, then research analyst, Jan. 2012-Nov. 2013, and research coordinator, Nov. 2013-Dec. 2014. B.A. in international development from The George Washington University, 2011.

Northeast Patrick O'Brien

(April 2015) Research director on Natalie Tennant for U.S. Senate (WV), Feb.-Nov. 2014. Senior researcher for a progressive labor organization, May 2013-Jan. 2014. Research associate at American Bridge 21st Century, May 2011-Jan. 2013. Research director for the Maryland Democratic Party, Jan.-May 2011. Researcher/tracker for the Maryland Democratic Party/O'Malley-Brown campaign, March-Dec. 2010. Campaign manager on Del. John Bohanan's re-election campaign, Dec. 2009-March 2010. M.A. in government from The Johns Hopkins University, 2015; B.A. in political science, history from Bates College, 2009.

MARKETING AND NEW MEDIA

direct marketing efforts, including all direct mail and telemarketing fundraising

Deputy Executive Director for Digital Communications and Fundraising Brandon English

Digital Director Julia Ager

(March 2015) Deputy digital director (2014 cycle) and digital copywriter (2012 cycle) at the DSCC, May 2012-March 2015. Account executive at Salsa Labs, Inc. Feb. 2011-May 2012. Political writer at the Mack | Crounse Group, LLC, July-Nov. 2010. B.A. in political science from Rice University. twitter

FINANCE

Finance Director Stella Ross

Also DCCC finance director in the 2014 cycle, and deputy national finance director in the 2011-12 cycle.

Evemts Director Krista Jenusaitis

Experience includes Event coordinator at Festive Foods Catering. Graduate of American University, 2003.

Regional
West Marissa Strickfaden

Experience includes Western Majority Council manager and Impact Series manager at EMILY's List.

Midwest (and South) Liz Robertson

...

Mid-Atlantic Matthew Thackson

...

Northeast Jen Liu
...

CANDIDATE SERVICES

[ensures that Democratic Members and challengers have the financial resources they need]

Director of Candidate Services and Deputy Political Director Nicole Eynard

Also in the 2014 cycle; Midwest regional candidate services director in the 2012 cycle. Fundraising experience includes Jennifer Brunner primary campaign for U.S. Senate (OH), Kay Barnes for Congress (MO) in 2008 and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill's campaign.

Deputy Candidate Fundraising Director Mary Ryan Douglass

Also served this role in the 2014 cycle. Previously finance director at Oceguera for Congress (NV), Feb.-Nov. 2012. Finance director at Tom Henry for Mayor (Fort Wayne, IN), March-Nov. 2011. Deputy finance director at Dan Seals for Congress, June-Nov. 2010. Regional finance director (Dec. 2009-May 2010) and finance assistant (Feb. Nov. 2009) at Fisher for Ohio. Field director in the 58th House District for the Ohio Democratic Party, Fall 2008. Interned with the Obama campaign. Degree in hospitality management from Eastern Michigan University, 2008.

MEMBER SERVICES

[provides support for Democratic Members of Congress while they conduct their political activities]

Director of Member Services Charles Benton

(Sept. 2011) Public affairs policy advocate at the American Association for Justice, 2008-09. Deputy director of member services at the DCCC, 2004-08. J.D. Howard University School of Law, 2002; B.A. in political science from Macalester College, 1994.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

CFO

LEGAL

Counsel Marc Elias

Chair of the Perkins Coie Political Law practice.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Director of IT David Winston

IT director at the DCCC since Jan. 2004. Previously system administrator for Reilly Mortgage Group, 1998-2003. B.S. in business administration-MIS, 1998.

CFO

Chief Financial Officer Jackie Forte-Mackay

(see above)

Deputy CFO Thomas Buneo

(Jan. 2013; accounting and compliance analyst at the DCCC, March-Dec. 2012) M.P.P. from George Mason University, 2013; B.A. in international relations and national security studies from SUNY College at Geneseo, 2011.

Compliance Manager Kate Zawacki

(Dec. 2011) Revenue assistant at World Wildlife Fund, Dec. 2010-11. Temporary worker for JustinBradley, June-Dec. 2010. Accounting assistant for Ron Kubik, Accountant, Dec. 2009-May 2010. B.A. in finance from Michigan State University, 2009.

InDependent Expenditures

[IE, operating separately and independently from the DCCC, spends tens of millions of dollars largely on advertising, doled out to various consultants]