Amy for America
For Immediate Release: December 4, 2019

Longtime Iowa Political Operative Norm Sterzenbach Joins Klobuchar Campaign as Caucus Advisor

DES MOINES, IA — In its latest sign of strength heading into 2020, Amy for America today announced the hiring of veteran Iowa political operative Norm Sterzenbach as the campaign’s Iowa Caucus Advisor. 

In his new role, Sterzenbach, an Iowa expert with years of political experience in the state, will advise the campaign on caucus strategy and engagement efforts ahead of the February contest. 

“Since entering this race, Amy Klobuchar has built an impressive grassroots campaign equipped to turn out Iowans of all backgrounds from across the state,” said Sterzenbach. “As the Senator next door, Amy has been a champion on the issues most important to Iowans -- she knows what it takes to win in the Heartland and beat Donald Trump. I’m thrilled to be joining her campaign and look forward to helping the team prepare for a successful night in February.”

“Norm brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the caucus process, and his insights and years of experience in Iowa Democratic politics will be an enormous asset as we enter into the home stretch,” said Iowa State Director Lauren Dillon. “We’re excited to have him on Team Amy, and look forward to continuing to build out our ground game here in Iowa in the coming weeks.” 

As a Cedar Rapids native, Sterzenbach brings to the campaign extensive knowledge and expertise in Iowa Democratic politics, having been involved in campaigns for Congress, Governor, Senate and President in the Hawkeye state. In 2008, he managed the presidential precinct caucuses, which saw a record-breaking turnout among Iowa Democrats. He then went on to serve as Executive Director of the Iowa Democratic Party and later as a Principal at GPS Impact, a leading national digital strategy firm. Sterzenbach most recently served as state director for Beto O’Rourke’s presidential campaign in Iowa. 

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Amy for America
April 22, 2019
For Immediate Release

Klobuchar Campaign Announces Additional Senior Staff and Team of Advisors

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Today, the Amy for America presidential campaign announced several additional top hires and a highly renowned team of advisors who will help lead the campaign’s efforts to deliver Amy’s positive economic agenda to voters across the country.

Tim Hogan, Communications Director - Before joining Amy for America, Tim Hogan was the National Press Secretary and Director of Campaign Communications at The Hub Project, a progressive advocacy organization. In 2016, Tim served as a Rapid Response Spokesman for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and ran press operations in Nevada, Arizona and Kentucky during the Democratic Primary. In Congress, in addition to serving as Communications Director for Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04), he also worked as an intern for his home state Senator, Amy Klobuchar, in 2009. Over the years Tim has managed and advised multiple local, state, and federal campaigns: from individual state legislative runs to advising organizations like Forward Majority that focus on statehouse races across the country.

Lucinda Ware, National Political Director - Lucinda-Marie Ware spent the past cycle as a Partner at a Democratic media firm (SWAY) that specializes in the production of content for TV, radio, digital and general consulting.  Lucinda helped guide SWAY’s clients from coast to coast, working with first-time and experienced candidates alike to chart a path to electoral victory, while providing strategic guidance to some of the country’s most influential labor unions, non-profits and businesses. During the 2018 cycle, Lucinda managed a candidate portfolio of six states and over twenty races across local, state and federal landscapes. Prior to joining SWAY, Lucinda served as Outreach Director for Mayor Pete Buttigieg's DNC chairman campaign, Political Director for Senator Van Hollen's successful U.S. Senate campaign, Director of Civic Engagement for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and Regional Field Director for the Maryland Lieutenant Governor (now-Congressman) Anthony Brown.   

Anjan Mukherjee, Research Director - Anjan Mukherjee joins Amy for America after serving as the Research Director at the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. Prior to that, Anjan was the Research Director at the League of Conservation Voters. He also led research efforts for Sen. Chris Coons's 2014 re-election campaign, and was a research associate at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee before that.

Mike McLaughlin, National Field Director - Mike McLaughlin joins the Amy for America team after managing one of the most expensive House races in the country in 2018, leading to the defeat of 15-term incumbent Dana Rohrabacher in Orange County, California. Mike previously organized for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor party in 2010 and has worked to elect Democrats across the country in states like Iowa, Virginia, Hawaii and Pennsylvania.

Kelsi Browning, New Hampshire Communications Director - Kelsi joins Amy for America having most recently served as National Communications Director for Paul Davis’ campaign in Kansas’ second congressional district, a targeted, top-tier DCCC red-to-blue race. Prior to that, she worked as Communications Director on Steve Farley’s campaign for Arizona Governor. In 2016, Kelsi spent time in the battleground state of Pennsylvania as a Regional Press Secretary for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. She also spent time in various roles on Capitol Hill, as well as at public affairs firm SKDKnickerbocker.

Pete Giangreco, Senior Advisor  - Pete has been a longtime political advisor to Sen. Klobuchar, including helping to become the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Minnesota in 2006. In 2008, Pete served as lead direct mail consultant to Obama for President during the Democratic primary season, and served as Deputy Director of Polling and Paid Media for OFA in the general election. In that capacity, Pete helped create the first Internet testing of direct mail pieces pioneered by the Obama campaign. In 2012, Pete was lead creative on direct mail that swept the presidential Pollie awards for Obama for America 2012. As a partner at The Strategy Group, Pete has pioneered targeting and research techniques that have made his direct mail some of the most effective in the country, and has advised dozens of Democratic campaigns at all levels of government.

Fred Yang, Research Advisor - Fred Yang is a partner with Hart Research Associates and founding principal of its political division—Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group. Fred has achieved a reputation for providing insightful analysis in his approach to political survey research, and for his hands-on involvement with his clients’ campaigns. Campaigns & Elections magazine has singled him out for “his ability to master the local nuances of a race.” And Capitol Hill’s newspaper, Roll Call, named him as one of 10 Democratic consultants on its list of “Consultants Who Make A Difference.” Fred counts several U.S. senators as his clients and is also the pollster for numerous members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Fred has been a regular contributor to network and cable television news programs such as MSNBC’s “MTP Daily,” and part of NBC News coverage of the national election returns since 2008.  

Roy Temple, Media Advisor - Co-founder of GPS Impact, Roy Temple is a veteran political, public affairs and digital strategist. Roy has served as a chief of staff to both a governor and a U.S. Senator. He has served on the digital and/or strategy teams for Governor Mel Carnahan, Senator Jean Carnahan, Governor Bob Holden, Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator Al Franken, Governor Tom Wolf, Governor Roy Cooper and for Priorities USA. Roy has also assisted with crisis communications, including for natural disasters, plane crashes, recount litigation and political “scandals.” Roy has been tapped to participate in debate prep for a wide variety of candidates and in the process has had the opportunity to debate Governor Mel Carnahan (playing Senator John Ashcroft), Senator Al Franken, Robin Carnahan and Jason Kander (playing Senator Roy Blunt), Governor Bob Holden (playing Senator Claire McCaskill), Brad Ellsworth (playing Senator Dan Coats) and Senator Sherrod Brown (playing Senator Mike DeWine). Temple is a former Chair of the Missouri Democratic Party and is a licensed attorney.

Jay Howser, Media Advisor - Jay Howser is currently a partner at GPS Media. Jay has created and produced campaign advertising for nearly a decade.  As a Senior Vice President at Shorr Johnson Magnus, Jay was a key part of electing Democratic candidates in tough races for U.S. Senate, Congress, Governor, and Attorney General. Jay also helped lead the firms’ work over the years for independent expenditures efforts for the DGA, DSCC, DCCC, House Majority PAC and Senate Majority PAC. Jay has also managed campaigns across the country, including those of Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana; Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut; and Rep. Brad Ellsworth of Indiana. Initially one of the Democratic Party’s top opposition research minds, Jay worked for Vice President Al Gore; Senators Bob Graham of Florida; Claire McCaskill of Missouri; and Paul Wellstone of Minnesota.

Andi Johnson, Media Advisor - Andi Johnson is currently a partner at GPS Media and comes to the Amy for America team with over 30 years of experience crafting some of the best political advertising campaigns in the country. Andi was previously a partner at Shorr Johnson Magnus, where she directed the creative process and contributed to the media strategy for a long list of clients, including U.S. Senators Bob Casey, Dick Durbin and Patrick Leahy, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, Senate Majority PAC, House Majority PAC, the DCCC and DSCC. On a national level, Andi was a member of the media team for President Obama in 2008, and Priorities USA in 2012 and 2016.

In the last two weeks, Klobuchar has announced several top hires in New Hampshire and Iowa, including New Hampshire State Director Scott Merrick, New Hampshire Deputy State Director Sondra Milkie, New Hampshire Political Director Ben Ernst, Iowa State Director Lauren Dillon, Iowa Campaign Chair Andy McGuire, Iowa Political Director Jamie Woods, Iowa Organizing Director Andrew Nelson, Iowa Deputy Organizing Director Andrew Larabee, Iowa Press Secretary Courtney Rice and Iowa Digital Media Manager Alli Peters.

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Amy for America
April 19, 2019
For Immediate Release

Amy for America Campaign Announces New Senior Hires in Iowa

DES MOINES, IA —  Following Senator Klobuchar’s visit to the Iowa Statehouse on Thursday, the Amy for America presidential campaign announced additional key Iowa hires, including Political Director, Deputy Organizing Director and Digital Media Manager.

Jamie Woods, Iowa Political Director — Jamie currently serves as the Iowa Democratic Party's Black Caucus Chair and is on the Board of Directors for Emerge Iowa, a diverse organization that grooms women to run for political office at the local, state, and national level. Jamie has been involved in numerous Democratic campaigns in Iowa, including helping to elect Representative Phyllis Thede and Representative Ako Abdul-Samad to the Iowa House. She previously worked on President Obama's presidential campaigns, and as the African-American Outreach Coordinator in the Davenport office for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Jamie was inducted into the Iowa African American Hall of Fame in 2017 for her work in Iowa. Jamie grew up in a family that’s been dedicated to public service with her father, two brothers, former spouse, and many others having served in the armed forces and her son and daughter both involved in JROTC.

Andrew Larabee, Iowa Deputy Organizing Director — Andrew got his start in politics as a Field Organizer with President Obama's re-election campaign in Ohio. Since then, he has led field programs for Democrats and progressive issue campaigns across the country. Andrew has also managed several grassroots campaigns in the Midwest, including John Hamilton’s successful campaign for Mayor of Bloomington, Indiana.

Alli Peters, Iowa Digital Media Manager — Last cycle, Alli created digital content for Dean Phillips’ successful congressional race. Alli also spent several years working with small businesses in the Midwest to grow their digital presence through photography, graphic design and social media. She received a dual degree in Political Science and Business Marketing from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

Klobuchar’s growing Iowa team is led by State Director Lauren Dillon and Iowa Campaign Chair Andy McGuire, who recently announced Andrew Nelson as Iowa Organizing Director and Courtney Rice as Iowa Press Secretary.
 
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Amy for America
April 10, 2019
For Immediate Release

Klobuchar Campaign Announces Top Hires in New Hampshire

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Today, the Amy for America campaign announced several key hires that will lead and manage the campaign’s operations in New Hampshire— State Director Scott Merrick, Deputy State Director Sondra Milkie and Political Director Ben Ernst. Klobuchar’s New Hampshire team will focus on building a strong grassroots operation and talking to people across the Granite State about Amy’s optimistic economic agenda.

Scott Merrick, New Hampshire State Director — As a native Granite Stater, Scott Merrick is excited to join Senator Klobuchar's presidential campaign and lead her efforts in his home state. Most recently, Scott was Vice President of Business Development for Athenium Analytics, a technology company based in Dover, NH.  Prior to that role, he served as Deputy State Director for Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Scott also served as a NH State Representative from Coos County for five years and was an Assistant Majority Floor Leader during that time.

Sondra Milkie, New Hampshire Deputy State Director — Sondra Milkie comes to the Amy for America team with experience in campaign management and political consulting. Sondra recently managed a Congressional race in Maryland and served as a digital and a direct mail consultant at firms in Washington, DC.  Prior to that, she spent several cycles in her home state of Wisconsin working on local and state legislative campaigns, eventually serving as Statewide Training Director for a Wisconsin based candidate recruitment and training organization. Sondra got her start in politics as a field organizer for the Obama for America campaign in 2008.

Ben Ernst, New Hampshire Political Director — Ben Ernst was most recently the Political Director for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. In 2018, he was the Campaigns Director for the New Hampshire State Senate Democratic Caucus, running its successful Red to Blue program to win a majority in the state. Ben also campaigned in Iowa, Nevada and Virginia for Secretary Clinton’s presidential campaign, managed a city council race in New York, and worked on several legislative races and a gubernatorial race in his native state of Virginia. 
 
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Amy for America
February 22, 2019

For Immediate Release

Amy for America Campaign Announces Top Hires

Minneapolis, MN -- Today, the Amy for America presidential campaign announced several key hires, including her Campaign Manager, Deputy Campaign Manager, Iowa State Director and several top advisors that will lead the campaign’s work in building a grassroots operation focused on connecting with voters across the country.

Justin Buoen, Campaign Manager - Justin Buoen is a longtime advisor to Senator Klobuchar, first working for her 2006 U.S. Senate campaign and then managing her reelection in 2012. Buoen is one of the top Democratic operatives in the midwest, who has led Klobuchar and Minnesota Democrats to major, historic victories. Buoen worked on two presidential campaigns, including U.S. Senator John Edwards’ 2008 campaign and U.S. Senator John Kerry's race in 2004. And as a political consultant, he has worked for a number of high-profile Democrats.  

Julia Kennedy, Deputy Campaign Manager - Julia Kennedy is coming off a major victory in Wisconsin, where she steered U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to an 11-point win, a notable margin after Donald Trump won Wisconsin in 2016. Kennedy is also an alum of the DSCC and DCCC and has worked on campaigns in her native state of Ohio, as well as Maryland, Florida, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

Lauren Dillon, Iowa State Director - Lauren Dillon, a proud Iowan, joins the Klobuchar campaign after spending nearly a decade at the DNC, including five years as Research Director, and most recently served as a Deputy Director of the DSCC during the 2018 campaign cycle. Dillon worked on two presidential campaigns, including President Barack Obama’s re-elect in 2012 and Secretary Clinton’s general election campaign in 2016. She’s also a veteran of the Culver-Judge Administration. Dillon is from Brooklyn, Iowa and proud graduate of Drake University.

Michael Schultz, National Finance Director - Michael Schultz is a veteran Democratic political operative with nearly ten years of experience working on campaigns, including work in New Hampshire, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexicoand Colorado. Most recently, he served as National Finance Director for Senator Ben Cardin, as well as several other congressional candidates. In 2016, Schultz served as Hillary Clinton’s Maryland and Delaware Finance Director.

Rosa Po, Policy Director - Rosa Po joins Amy for America after serving as Senator Klobuchar’s Deputy Chief of Staff for two years. Po was Regional Policy Director and Senior Researcher for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 and 2008 presidential campaigns, Research and Policy Director for Senator Boxer’s 2010 campaign, and Policy Advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services during the Obama Administration. She holds a B.A. and M.A. from Yale and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

Nathan Nye, Digital Director - Nathan Nye joins Amy for America after a major win in Wisconsin with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, where he led the campaign’s record-breaking online fundraising and digital efforts. Prior to the Baldwin campaign, Nye helped run the digital program in New Hampshire in 2016 for U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan.  

Carlie Waibel, National Press Secretary - Carlie Waibel returns to Minnesota after spending several campaign cycles in Florida, most recently serving assenior spokesperson for Mayor Andrew Gillum’s gubernatorial campaign. Waibel also served as communications director for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, as well as communications advisor to Secretary Clinton’s campaign in Florida and deputy communications director in 2014 for Charlie Crist’s gubernatorial campaign.

Elise Convy, Deputy National Finance Director - Elise Convy has managed Senator Klobuchar’s fundraising efforts for the past four years and most recently served as Finance Director during the 2018 election. Convy has also served as a fundraising consultant for Democratic candidates and state parties around the country.

Sam Clark, Special Advisor - Sam Clark joins the Klobuchar campaign after serving as the St. Paul City Attorney. Clark also previously worked for Senator Klobuchar as her State Director and as General Counsel in the U.S. Senate. He graduated from Harvard University and Yale Law School.

Jeff Blodgett, Special Advisor - Jeff Blodgett is one of the country’s top political strategists and will help advise the campaign on political strategy. Blodgett got his start in politics working for the late Senator Paul Wellstone. Blodgett oversaw both of President Barack Obama’s decisive victories in Minnesota, after founding and running Wellstone Action, an organization focused on political and grassroots organizing training.

Brigit Helgen, Senior Advisor - Brigit Helgen is a longtime advisor to Senator Klobuchar, most recently serving as her Chief of Staff. She previously worked in the Obama Administration as the Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Congressional Affairs and has worked on numerous political campaigns across the country.  

Tina Stoll, National Finance Consultant - Tina Stoll was a member of Senator Klobuchar’s first Senate campaign in 2006 and has worked on each of Senator Klobuchar’s re-election campaigns. Tina is the owner of her own consulting firm and brings with her a team of experienced campaign finance consultants who have worked on various campaigns throughout the country.

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