Name Russell Schriefer Role Political strategist | Spouse Nina Easton (m. 2004) | |
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Russell J. Schriefer is an American political strategist and media consultant who has worked on six out of the last seven presidential campaigns. In 2012, he was a senior advisor and media consultant on Governor Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign.
In 2014 Schriefer helped elect: Governor Larry Hogan, Governor Asa Hutchinson, Governor Mary Fallin, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Congressman Michael Grimm, Attorney General Sam Olens.
In 2009 & 2013 Schriefer was the media consultant for Governor Chris Christie's campaign for Governor in New Jersey.
After graduating from Manhattan College, Schriefer got his start working for two Republican House members, and was Mid-Atlantic political director for George H. W. Bush in the 1988 campaign. He became a lobbyist, but he soured on the profession after being asked to defend a product that harmed wildlife. He then managed Rudolph W. Giuliani's unsuccessful New York mayoral campaign in 1989. During the 1996 presidential primary season, Schriefer did consulting work for Robert J. Dole for president.
As a founding partner with Stuart Stevens and Ashley O'Connor in Strategic Partners & Media, Schriefer has worked with many Republican Governors, Senators, and Congressmen, including Governor Robert Ehrlich (MD), Senator Johnny Isakson (GA), Governor Tom Ridge (PA), Governor Bill Weld (MA), Governor Paul Cellucci (MA), Governor Bob Riley (AL), Governor Charlie Crist (FL), Senator Richard Lugar (IN), Senator John Cornyn (TX), Governor Mary Fallin (OK), Senator Dan Coats (IN), Senator Roy Blunt (MO) and Senator Rob Portman (OH). He served as program director of the 2004 & 2012 Republican conventions.
Schriefer produced campaign advertisements for George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 elections, gaining notoriety for an advertisement that aired in 2004 picturing Senator John Kerry windsurfing. In 2007, Stevens & Schriefer briefly served as one of Senator John McCain's media consultants.
Schriefer also does corporate consulting.
Russell Schriefer is married to Nina Easton, Washington Editor at Fortune magazine and a commentator on the Fox News Channel. He has a daughter Elizabeth Rose, and two step sons Taylor and Daniel. They live in Maryland.