Congressman Harold Ford Jr. announced the appointment of top national campaign veterans to lead communications and polling strategies for his U.S. Senate campaign.“Our campaign is about making government more responsible and responsive to the needs and aspirations of Tennesseans,” Rep. Ford said. “I’ve chosen a team of seasoned professionals to help me share with voters my vision of doing better - by simplifying our tax code, investing in education and new jobs, reducing our overdependence on foreign oil, and making healthcare affordable and accessible to every Tennessean.”
Tennessean Carol Andrews is the campaign’s communications director. A veteran of political, non-profit and corporate communications efforts for concerns across the nation, Ms. Andrews most recently served as press secretary to Gov. Christine Gregoire of Washington state. Andrews directed communications in Tennessee for the presidential campaign of General Wes Clark and was press secretary to former Congressman Bob Clement during his U.S. Senate race in 2002. She also worked with the Ann Coulter for Mayor campaign.
While vice president for communications of political media firm Fletcher Rowley Chao Inc., she produced media projects for Congressmen Charlie Melancon of Louisiana and Lincoln Davis of Tennessee, among dozens of campaigns and elected officials on local, state and federal levels.
Ms. Andrews is a former communications coordinator for the Tennessee State Employees Association, and a former news editor for The Lebanon Democrat.
She said, “Harold Ford Jr. is one of our nation’s most dynamic leaders with a strong work ethic, and deep love and respect for Tennessee. He gets it right by focusing on our potential as a state and nation. I am honored to be a member of the Ford team.”
Jim Margolis is the campaign’s media consultant. Mr. Margolis is a senior partner at GMMB where he has worked for years at the intersection of politics, advertising and advocacy on behalf of candidates, foundations, government agencies and corporate clients. He has earned one of the best political win/loss records of any consultant in the nation, excelling at red state wins for Democrats - Gov. Mark Warner of Virginia among them, it was stated.
Today, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Gov. Jim Doyle (D-WI) are among the statewide leaders who count on Margolis for strategic advice and communications guidance, officials said.
Mr. Margolis has served as a key strategist for three presidential campaigns, with GMMB acting as the lead agency for Bill Clinton’s successful election to the White House. He has been a campaign consultant for a host of foreign clients, including presidential and prime ministerial candidates in Latin America, Africa, Central America and Asia.
“Over the years GMMB has helped elect more Democrats to the Senate than just about any firm in the country. But I’ve never seen anyone more ready to be a strong, get-things-done senator than Harold Ford, Jr.,” Mr. Margolis said. “He’s smart, he’s focused on the real problems people face everyday, he’s incredibly hard working and he has earned the respect of Democrats and Republicans alike.”
Pete Brodnitz of Benenson Strategy Group is campaign pollster. Mr. Brodnitz most recently worked on the successful campaign of Virginia Gov.-elect Tim Kaine, who entered the race losing by 7 percent and ultimately winning by almost 6 percent. Since 2004 12 of his 14 domestic political clients in California, Nevada and Virginia, as well as heads of state in the Phillipines and Thailand, won their elections. Mr. Brodnitz has more than 13 years of research experience in addition to work in media consulting, public interest advocacy and as a congressional staff member.
As a polling strategist, he has a strong record of winning campaigns in more than a dozen states, it was stated. His clients include Virginia Congressman Rick Boucher and North Carolina Treasurer Richard Moore.
He said, "I’ve admired Congressman Ford for years so I’m honored to be on his team. Harold Ford Jr. is independent with clear priorities and a great personal style that people throughout Tennessee clearly respond to when they meet him. I look forward to a successful campaign.”
Comments: This is yet another indicator of how well Congressman Ford's campaign is going. He now has the best strategists in the nation joining his campaign.
They are not alone. Congressman Ford is having people flock to his campaign each and every day. They all want to be on the winning team that will put Tennessee on the right path for the future.
Source: The Chattanoogan
