Serious about running for office? Then certainly you’ve considered hiring a political consultant.
The world of North Carolina political consulting is highly dependent on networking and personal connections. We tried to peel back the curtain a bit to give you a sense of who the power players are behind the scenes.
This guide is limited to independent consultants who advise numerous campaigns on strategy, communications fundraising. This leaves out many talented political operatives, get-out-the-vote specialists and campaign managers. It also leaves out full-time staffers for the party caucuses, PACs and advocacy groups.
Click to view a larger version.10 N.C. political consultants you must know
Paul Shumaker
Paul Shumaker has a national reputation as a “data guy” who can turn campaigns. He’s worked with all of the top Republicans in North Carolina.
Brad Crone
Brad Crone is one of the most widely respected operatives, earning praise on both sides of the aisle. He’s especially well-versed in issue campaigns but has helped roughly 400 candidates in his career.
Dee Stewart
Dee Stewart has deep connections in both Washington and Raleigh.
Jim Blaine & Ray Martin
Jim Blaine was known as the “51st senator” when he worked for Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger. Now he’s leading his own shop alongside former Senate Caucus leader Ray Martin.
Andy Yates & Carolyn Justice
Their firm Red Dome Group is licking its wound right now, but they remain one of the primary firms running direct mail campaigns for Republicans statewide.
Patrick Sebastian
Patrick Sebastian has already worked at the highest levels of Republican campaigns.
Jim Burton
Burton is the owner of Burton Research and Strategies and former N.C. House caucus director responsible for scores of Republican victories across North Carolina.
Chris Sinclair
Chris Sinclair now manages offices in both Charlotte and Raleigh and orchestrated the most successful constitutional amendment campaign in the last cycle.
Cover image by Mr.TinMD via Flickr (Creative Commons)
This list is a who’s who of the tallest midgets when it comes to consultants.
These consultants run one-man or at best two-man shops with amateurs and claim they are experts when the reality is they put together half assed campaigns for their clients and rob them blind.Clients of each one of these consultants complain about their lack of skills and attention to their campaigns. Not to mention the Red Dome Group currently being part of a campaign that is under investigation.
If NC politicos want to move into the 21st century they need to start looking outside this state at legitimate consultants.