Jesse Ferguson is a top Democratic strategist and comms expert - who cut his teeth in Virginia, ran the $60M+ DCCC Independent Expenditure in 2014, served as a top press aide to the Clinton ’16 campaign, and is now a strategist advising numerous organizations and independent expenditures. In this conversation, Jesse talks key moments and lessons from his career, as well as providing his Messaging 101 on how he thinks of effective political communications.
IN THIS EPISODE…
Jesse’s family connection to Joe McCarthy and the 1950s Red Scare…
Jesse’s early Republican leanings and the high-profile Republican he almost interned for…
Jesse’s theory of Virginia as a trendsetter in American politics…
Jesse talks the importance of Mark Warner in the rise of Virginia Democrats…
In college, Jesse starts Virginia21 to encourage more investment in Virginia higher education…
Jesse talks the value of getting experience outside of DC…
Jesse navigates multiple cycles rising through the ranks at the DCCC…
Lessons from his “favorite job” running the DCCC IE in 2014…
Jesse talks his senior comms role in the Hillary Clinton 2016 race…
The 3 challenges the Hillary 2016 campaign had with the press…
Jesse shares insights from health struggles he’s faced…
Jesse provides his Messaging 101 on speaking on the record, outlandish stunts, getting earned media, and more…
Jesse’s go-to “ABCV” message trick…
The three TV shows that form the backbone of Jesse’s approach to life…
AND…agents of intolerance, George Allen, Mark Bergman, Demand Justice, Dukakis bumper stickers, early warning signs, earworms, Brian Fallon, Jerry Falwell, flowing hair, fruit flies, Steve Israel, Steve Jarding, Tim Kaine, kazoos, Abraham Lincoln, Travis Lowe, Stewart Mills, Robby Mook, Rick Nolan, Ralph Northam, The Palm, Jen Palmieri, Ed Peavy, pneumonic devices, press releases on camera, Protect Our Care, Red Dawn, Mame Reiley, the Richmond Jewish community, Pat Robertson, robots, Rockefeller Republicans, Michael Scherer, screen agnosticism, sharp elbows, Star Wars, Tikkun olam, Joe Trippi, the Urban Crescent, Kelly Ward, William & Mary, & more!