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Ken Spain (political strategist)

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Kenneth Paul Spain (born 1979) is an American political and communications strategist, who served as the communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee and as the New Mexico communications director for the Bush-Cheney campaign. He co-founded the Washington D.C.-based communications firm Narrative Strategies in 2019. Spain was named the firm's CEO in 2024, following an investment from Clarion Capital Partners. [1]

Early life and education

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Spain was born in Whittier, California on March 21, 1979.[2] He graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a B.A. in History in 2001.[3]

Career

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Following his graduation, Spain became a District Representative for California State Senator Bob Margett. He then worked on two Texas-based campaigns including Mike Conaway’s primary campaign and Michael McCaul’s runoff campaign.[4] In 2004, Spain served as the New Mexico Communications Director for the Bush-Cheney campaign.[5] In 2005, he became the Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX)[6] before he left in 2006 to become the Communications Director for Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ). [7]

Spain left Capitol Hill in 2007 and joined the National Republican Congressional Committee where he shaped communications strategy for the campaigns of House Republicans.[8] He served as Press Secretary and National Spokesman during the 2008 election before being promoted to Communications Director.[9] Spain oversaw the NRCC's communications strategy during the 2010 midterm elections in which Republicans gained 63 House seats.[10]

Spain then joined the American Investment Council (formerly known as the Private Equity Growth Capital Council) in 2011 as Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications.[11] His time at PEGCC coincided with “unprecedented scrutiny [of] the long-secretive buyout industry,” due to Mitt Romney’s private equity background receiving attention during the 2012 presidential race. In response to the increased scrutiny of the industry, Spain oversaw the production of a video advertising series called “Private Equity at Work.” During Spain’s tenure at PEGCC, the organization’s membership grew from eight to 35 firms.[12]

In 2015, Spain became the Managing Director of External Affairs at Koch Industries, and he was promoted to Managing Director of Corporate Communications and External Affairs in 2016.[12]

In October 2016, Spain became a partner at D.C.-based CGCN Group, a Republican issue advocacy and strategic communications firm that represents Fortune 500 businesses[13] He left three years later, in 2019, to start his own strategic communications firm, Narrative Strategies. [14] In 2024, Narrative Strategies received a majority investment from Clarion Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in New York. [15]

Commentary

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Spain serves as a commentator within the political and communications industry. He provides insight for news pieces from outlets such as The Wall Street Journal,[16] The New York Times,[17] Politico,[18] Axios[19] and the Los Angeles Times.[20] He has also previously written commentary pieces for PRWeek[21] and RealClearPolitics.[22][23]

Personal life

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In October 2009, Spain married Emily Kryder (now Emily Spain).[24][25][26]

Spain served on the Board of the Positive Coaching Alliance, an American non-profit organization which strives to create a positive youth sports environment.[27]

References

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  1. ^ https://narrativestrategies.com/insights/our-insights/narrative-strategies-announces-partnership-with-clarion-capital-partners
  2. ^ "Ken Spain - Narrative Strategies (Sept. 2019-), Founding Partner - Biography | LegiStorm". legistorm.com.
  3. ^ "Revolving Door: Kenneth Spain Employment Summary | OpenSecrets". 10.33.1.124.
  4. ^ "Oct. 3: Spain on 'Battle for Congress'".
  5. ^ Catanese, David. "Mehlman courted Spain away". Politico.
  6. ^ Rothstein, Betsy (February 8, 2006). "Life on CrackBerry Hill".
  7. ^ "Oct. 3: Spain on 'Battle for Congress'". UDaily.
  8. ^ O'Connor, Patrick (8 December 2010). "NRCC Spokesman Heads to Private Equity Group". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  9. ^ "NRCC Builds Team for 2010 Races". 16 December 2008.
  10. ^ Kane, Paul (27 August 2022). "Has the political environment shifted? Alums of 2010, 2018 wave midterms urge caution". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  11. ^ Murray, Matthew (8 December 2010). "NRCC Flack Headed to Private Sector". Roll Call. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Koch Industries Hires Private Equity Communicator Ken Spain". Bloomberg L.P. 4 March 2015.
  13. ^ Beltran, Luisa (15 November 2016). "Ex-AIC spokesman leaves Koch for lobbyists CGCN". PE Hub. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  14. ^ Ackley, Kate (12 September 2019). "K Street's CGCN Group picks up big names from Definers". Roll Call. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  15. ^ https://www.axios.com/2024/02/15/narrative-strategies-clarion-capital-partners-deal
  16. ^ Bykowicz, Julie; Au-Yeung, Angel (26 February 2023). "Conservatives Have a New Rallying Cry: Down With ESG". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  17. ^ Epstein, Reid J.; Glueck, Katie (January 23, 2021). "10 Republicans Voted to Impeach Trump. The Backlash Has Been Swift". The New York Times.
  18. ^ Bade, Rachael; Lizza, Ryan. "POLITICO Playbook: GOP strategists to hopeful Democrats: Get real". Politico.
  19. ^ Solender, Andrew; Treene, Alayna (15 August 2022). ""Defund the FBI" complicates GOP's midterm messaging". Axios. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  20. ^ Mason, Melanie; Bierman, Noah (9 November 2022). "News Analysis: Trump was a looming figure in the midterms. The GOP suffered for it". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  21. ^ Spain, Ken (24 July 2024). "How the Supreme Court's Chevron reversal is shifting public affairs". PRWeek. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  22. ^ Spain, Ken (22 April 2021). "To Win Majorities in '22, GOP Doesn't Have to Make History". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  23. ^ Spain, Ken (11 February 2022). "Biden SCOTUS Nomination Won't Change 2022 Midterms". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Hill Climbers: Communications Director Has Bicameral Experience". 2 March 2010.
  25. ^ "Move over Mary Matalin and James Carville". 21 May 2008.
  26. ^ "Emily Spain - KKR & Co. Inc. (Nov. 2021-), Director, Public Affairs - Biography | LegiStorm".
  27. ^ "Year in Review 2020" (PDF). Positive Coaching Alliance. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
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