Democratic Committees-Organization
2008 Edition  last updated July 29, 2008

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
430 South Capitol St., SE, Washington, DC  20003
Chairman U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-8)
(named to the position by Speaker Pelosi on Dec. 19, 2006)
Executive Director Brian Wolff
Deputy executive director in the 2006 cycle.  In charge of all Finance operations at the Committee and serves as House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi's Political Director.  Wolff previously served as National Finance Director for the DCCC; he has been a chief fundraiser for Leader Pelosi for many years and has aided her in raising a record amount of money to distribute to House candidates around the country and to the DCCC.  Northwest Finance Director for Gore 2000 and the Northern California Finance Director for Senator Barbara Boxer; also assisted Hillary Rodham Clinton in her 2000 campaign.  Worked for  the 1992 and 1996 Clinton campaigns.  Joined the staff of Senator David H. Pryor.  Worked for CNN and “Larry King Live.”  Native of Little Rock, Arkansas
 
 
Chief Operating Officer Kristie Mark

Chief Financial Officer Jackie Forte-Mackay



POLITICAL
Political Director
 Brian Smoot
Campaign manager on Ron Klein's 2006 campaign for U.S. House in FL-22; then served as Klein's chief of staff to the end of July 2007.  Campaign manager on Ginny Schrader's 2004 campaign for U.S. House in PA-8.  Worked for U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander (LA-5) from 2003-04 including as chief of staff; resigned when Alexander switched to the GOP.
 
Regional Desks
Northeast - Rodd McLeod
Southern - Bret Wask
Midwest - Jennifer Pihlaja
West - Steve Haro


Incumbent Retention Director
 C.R. Wooters
Senior advisor and director of public affairs at Media Matters for America.  In Fall 2004 Wooters oversaw a field desk, responsible for states including NV, OR, WA, WV, at the DNC.  Worked for Vice President Al Gore's presidential campaign in 2000 in four states including Florida, where he managed daily field operations for the general election and recount; during the 2000 New Hampshire primary campaign he worked as a field organizer for Gore in Nashua.  Native of Silver Spring, MD.


FIELD
National Field Director Casey O'Shea
Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA-3) from early 2005 to late 2007; managed Melancon's election to Congress in 2004.  A field organizer for John Kerry during the Iowa caucuses.  Managed several targeted legislative races in Louisiana in the latter part of 2003.  District scheduler/district liaison for Rep. Brad Miller (NC-13) in the first part of 2003; worked on Miller's successful campaign for Congress in 2002.  Graduate of the University of Mississippi.


COMMUNICATIONS
Communications Director Jennifer Crider
Prior to becoming the DCCC communications director, Crider spent more than four years as deputy communications director for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and she continues to serve as a senior advisor to the Speaker.  On Capitol Hill she has served in communications, strategic, and legislative capacities for the late U.S. Rep. Robert Matsui (CA) and U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott (WA)-2001.  Crider opened Sen. Maria Cantwell's press office and served as her press secretary.  Throughout her career, she has worked on a number of congressional campaigns.  Crider started her career at a Fortune 500 company.

 
Press Secretary
 Doug Thornell
Previously senior strategist at the LawMedia Group (LMG).  Advisor to the Maryland Democratic Party during the 2006 mid-term elections.  During the 2004 election cycle, Thornell served as traveling press secretary on Gov. Howard Dean’s presidential campaign and later as the deputy political director at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC).  Communications director, speechwriter and spokesman for the Congressional Black Caucus.

Regional Press Secretaries
Northeast - Carrie James
Southern - Kyra Jennings
Midwest - Ryan Rudominer
West - Yoni Cohen


RESEARCH
Research Director Nicole Landset
Research director on Fernando Ferrer's 2005 campaign for mayor of New York City.  Research director at the League of Conservation Voters through March 2005.



MEMBER SERVICES
Member Services Director Beverly Gilyard
Beverly Gilyard joined the DCCC in June 2003 to direct the Member Services Department.  Prior to joining the DCCC, she worked as a campaign manager and a field coordinator in various political campaigns.  Prior to her campaign work, she served for over five years as the Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02) and for three years as part of U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer’s (MD-5) legislative staff.  J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law and B.A. in the dual majors of Political Science and Law & Society from American University.


FINANCE AND MARKETING
Managing Director of Finance and Marketing
Nicole Runge
Joined the DCCC as National Women’s Finance Director.  Finance Director Gov. Jeanne Shaheen's 2002 U.S Senate campaign in New Hampshire.  Sen. Dick Durbin’s Finance Director in 2001.  DSCC's Midwest Finance Director during the 2000 cycle.  Washington PAC Director for BACKPAC, Sen. Bob Kerrey’s leadership PAC.


Candidate Fundraising Director
 Todd Schulte


Online/Marketing Director
 Taryn Rosenkranz
Also at the DCCC in the 2006; helped raise over $6.5 million online.  Previously a legislative assistant in the American Academy of Pediatrics' Department of Federal Affairs, and headed up AAP's online program.

Online Communications Manager Brandon English
(Editor of the DCCC's blog, The Stakeholder; "works closely with local and national bloggers to hold congressional Republicans accountable for their records."
During the 2006 cycle, English managed micro-sites and e-mail campaigns for the DCCC's Independent Expenditure Program.


INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES
Director
 Jon Vogel
Moved over from position as DCCC political director.  In 2004 cycle was DCCC Northeast regional political director.  Finance director on Steve Israel's 2000 congressional campaign as finance director.  Finance director for Rep. Mike Forbes (D-NY).  Campaign manager for Virginia Del. Robert Hull's (D) successful re-election bid.  Started political career at the DCCC as a finance assistant.  Bachelor's degree in international relations from Connecticut College, 1997.

Deputy Director

 Katharine Lister
Previously at the Fund for America.  Did press for Victory 2004 in Nevada; with the Kerry campaign, including as communications director for the Maryland primary.  Served briefly as communications director for Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll.  Joined the office of Congressman Adam Smith (WA-9) as communications director in January 2002.  Worked at the Democratic Leadership Council and Progressive Policy Institute.  Graduate of Yale University in 2000 with a degree in History of Art.  From Philadelphia.


and
Red to Blue Program co-chairs
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida
Rep. Arthur Davis of Alabama
Rep. Bruce Braley of Iowa



2006 edition
 

Copyright © 2008  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action