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Scott Jennings
Personal details
Born (1977-10-26) October 26, 1977 (age 47)
Dawson Springs, Kentucky, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Louisville (BA)
OccupationPolitical commentator, writer

Scott Jennings (born October 26, 1977) is an American political strategist and writer. He is an on-air contributor for CNN and writes for CNN.com, USA Today, and the Los Angeles Times.

Jennings is a native of Dawson Springs, Kentucky, and graduated from high school there in 1996. He was a Coca-Cola National Scholar and featured in their Foundation's magazine in 2006. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville in 2000 where he was a McConnell Scholar. While a student at the University of Louisville, Jennings was a news anchor and reporter for WHAS (AM) Radio. While at WHAS, Jennings won an award from the Associated Press for a series on the plight of the homeless living in downtown Louisville.

President George W. Bush appointed Jennings to the position of special assistant to the president and deputy director of political affairs in February 2006.[1] Jennings had previously served as a staff member of Bush's presidential campaign in Kentucky in 2000 and executive director of Bush's 2004 re-election campaign in New Mexico in 2004.

Jennings is a founding partner of RunSwitch Public Relations,[2] Kentucky's largest public relations and public affairs firm since 2013.[3] He has been writing a regular column for the Louisville Courier-Journal[4] since 2013, and was signed as an on-air contributor by CNN in 2017.[5] He is routinely cited as an adviser to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell[6] in news publications, and was part of McConnell's campaigns for the U.S. Senate in 2002, 2008, and 2014. He joined the Los Angeles Times as a columnist in 2019.

Jennings is on the speaking circuit, briefing groups on the political landscape and taking part in panel discussions.[7] He was a resident fellow at Harvard Institute of Politics in 2018, and became an adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2019. He also appears frequently on NPR's Morning Edition as a conservative political analyst.[8]

Career

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Jennings served as political director for President George W. Bush's 2000 Kentucky campaign, and as campaign manager for Sen. Mitch McConnell's 2002 re-election campaign, Governor Ernie Fletcher's 2003 campaign, and Bush's campaign in New Mexico in 2004, before joining the White House. New Mexico was one of only two states to flip from blue to red in between 2000 and 2004; the other was Iowa. He served as associate director in the Office of Political Affairs at the White House before being named special assistant to the president in October 2005.[9]

After leaving the White House, Jennings became Director of Strategic Development and Senior Strategist for Peritus Public Relations in Louisville, Kentucky, before co-founding RunSwitch PR in Louisville in 2012. Jennings is frequently quoted by media outlets as a political analyst. During the 2016 presidential election, he appeared frequently on the Fox News Channel and other outlets as a commentator discussing polling and the political news of the day.

In 2017, Jennings joined CNN[10] as an on-air contributor. He has made hundreds of appearances on the network on AC360 with Anderson Cooper, The Lead with Jake Tapper, CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, and other programs.

In 2022, Jennings launched the podcast Flyover Country with Scott Jennings, which features commentary on local, state, and national political issues as well as interviews with Mitch McConnell, former Attorney General Daniel Cameron, commentator Erick Erickson, and others.

2004 Bush campaign in New Mexico

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After losing New Mexico to Al Gore in 2000 by just 366 votes, President Bush's reelection campaign dispatched Jennings to manage its operations there. Jennings arrived in early 2004 to find a divided state Republican Party.[11] Shortly after his arrival, the state party chairman, State Senator Ramsay Gorham, resigned both her chairmanship and legislative seat and moved out of the state. Jennings and Republican Party counterpart Jay McCleskey set about repairing the damaged party, recruiting 15,000 volunteers[12] to execute a grassroots strategy that relied heavily on peer-to-peer, coalition-based activity. Bush ultimately won the state.

Political operations in Kentucky

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Between 2000 and 2003, Jennings directed the political operations for Bush's presidential campaign, Senator Mitch McConnell's reelection campaign, and Ernie Fletcher's gubernatorial campaign. Bush defeated Al Gore in Kentucky, a state Bill Clinton won twice, with 56.5%,[13] McConnell set a record by scoring 65 percent in his campaign,[14] and Fletcher became the first Republican governor in Kentucky in over 30 years by winning 55 percent of the vote.[15] Jennings resumed his work in Kentucky in 2008, helping U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, Congressman Brett Guthrie, and state legislative Republicans win their races.

In 2019, Jennings made television and radio ads for Attorney General Daniel Cameron,[16] the first stand-alone African-American candidate to win statewide office in Kentucky.[17]

GSA Hatch Act inquiry

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In 2007, Jennings was mentioned in an inquiry into the politicization of the General Services Administration (GSA). At a Congressional hearing, witnesses testified that on January 26, 2007, Jennings was present at a meeting where GSA Administrator Lurita Doan "joined in a video conference earlier this year with top GSA political appointees, who discussed ways to help Republican candidates."[18] On April 23, 2007, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) announced it was investigating the January video conference, to look at whether the political dealings of the White House had violated the Hatch Act.[19]

While the OSC found that Doan violated the Hatch Act, Elaine Kaplan, Special Counsel during the Clinton Administration, said that "nothing in the OSC's investigative report suggests that anything improper had occurred before Doan initiated the discussion."[20] Jennings' presentation was similar in nature to several others disclosed by the White House. Special Counsel Scott Bloch told the Washington Post, "Political forecasts, just generally . . . I do not regard as illegal political activity."[21] White House Deputy Press Secretary Dana Perino described the briefings to reporters: "It's not unlawful and it wasn't unusual for informational briefings to be given. There is no prohibition under the Hatch Act of allowing political appointees to talk to other political appointees about the political landscape in which they are trying to advance the president's agenda."[22]

Dismissal of United States Attorneys controversy

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Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy

Jennings was involved in the dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy in early 2007 testifying on August 2, 2007, before the Senate Judiciary Committee. He invoked executive privilege and refused to answer most questions, claiming the president George W. Bush had ordered his non-compliance.[23] Democrats on the committee contested the legitimacy of the privilege assertion, Patrick Leahy calling it, "...a bogus claim."[23] E-mails published subsequently confirmed that Jennings was directly involved in the controversial firing of New Mexico US Attorney David Iglesias, Jennings writing in one e-mail to a White House staffer, "Iglesias has done nothing," and to another, "We are getting killed out there," adding that the White House "move forward with getting rid of the NM USATTY."[24]

White House and RNC email accounts

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Main article: Bush White House e-mail controversy

In the months leading up to the controversy around the dismissal of United States attorneys, Jennings communicated with Justice Department officials "concerning the appointment of Tim Griffin, a former Karl Rove aide, as U.S. attorney in Little Rock, according to e-mails released [in March 2007]. For that exchange, Jennings, although working at the White House, used an e-mail account registered to the Republican National Committee (RNC), where Griffin had worked as a political opposition researcher."[18]

Involvement in 2014 U.S. Senate election in Kentucky

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Jennings ran a Super PAC known as Kentuckians for Strong Leadership that supported the re-election of Mitch McConnell during the 2014 U.S. Senate election in Kentucky. In July 2014, Jennings told radio station WFPL "I think the party is coming together just fine and I don't detect any problems for McConnell on GOP unity."[25]

During the race, Jennings was profiled in The New Yorker, which dubbed him "the master of attack."[26] After the race, the Kentucky political news show "Pure Politics" interviewed Jennings and said that he had "shaped the race in McConnell's favor."[27]

Involvement in 2016 Kentucky state legislative races

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In 2016, Jennings' Super PAC, Kentuckians for Strong Leadership (KSL), sought to help Republicans gain control of the Kentucky House of Representatives. KSL spent $2 million on 19 legislative races as the GOP went from a 53-47 minority to a 64-36 super majority. "Pure Politics" credited KSL with helping the GOP achieve its objective.[28] The group created a stir in the closing days of the campaign by sending thousands of Hillary Clinton birthday cards to voters across the state, asking them to "ruin Hillary's birthday" by voting against Clinton and "every Clinton Democrat running."[29]

Columnist for Louisville Courier-Journal and Gannet

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Jennings became a contributing columnist to the Louisville Courier-Journal in 2013, writing a conservative column that appears every other Wednesday. Jennings' columns are frequently picked up by Gannett's flagship USA Today.[30] In Jennings' columns for the Louisville newspaper, he tackles policy and political issues affecting Kentucky and the nation. In 2018 and 2021,[31] Jennings won a Society of Professional Journalists award for his Courier-Journal writing.[32] Jennings' writing also appears occasionally on RealClearPolitics.[33]

CNN

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In June 2017, Jennings joined CNN as a political contributor, along with former Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook, former John Kasich chief strategist John Weaver, former Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinelli, former Obama national security aide Shawn Turner and Yale Law School associate dean and former FBI special agent Asha Rangappa.

In 2017, it was reported in various news outlets that Jennings had been offered, but turned down, a senior role in the Trump White House.[34]

After Jennings praised model and television personality Amber Rose as "super talented", he characterized her comments endorsing Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention as "how you change the composition of the electorate."[35]

Harvard Kennedy School

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Jennings was named a resident fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School for the Spring 2018 semester. He taught a series of seminars on tribalism in American politics,[36] and attracted such guest lecturers to his class as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell[37] and former White House Chief of Staff and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.[38]

In 2019, Jennings returned to Kennedy School to serve as an Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, teaching a course on modern American political campaigns.[39]

Los Angeles Times

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Jennings was named a Los Angeles Times contributing columnist in the fall of 2019. His initial column for the paper was called "Attitude and Gratitude: Why Republicans Stick with Trump",[40] and was published shortly after Trump had been impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives. He also wrote a column on Tiger Woods' win at the 2019 Masters Tournament.[41]

Personal life

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Jennings is married to Autumn Stiff Jennings of Whitesville, Kentucky; they live in Prospect, Kentucky.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Simendinger, Alexis (July 11, 2006). "Who's Making What In The White House". National Journal. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2007.
  2. ^ "Scott Jennings - Partner - RunSwitch PR". RunSwitch PR. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  3. ^ "Business First: RunSwitch is Kentucky's Top PR Firm". RunSwitch PR. August 19, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  4. ^ "How to debate politics without losing friends: Join us at our On the Same Page event!". The Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  5. ^ "TLC alum Scott Jennings signs with CNN". The Louisville Cardinal. June 23, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  6. ^ Shear, Michael D.; Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (October 16, 2017). "Trump and McConnell Strive for Comity Amid Rising Tensions". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  7. ^ "Jones and Jennings show how partisan politics can be fair, entertaining". The Louisville Courier-Journal. July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  8. ^ "Public Testimony In House Impeachment Probe Begins Next Week". NPR. November 7, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  9. ^ "Personnel Announcement (White House)". February 3, 2006.
  10. ^ "RunSwitch PR's Scott Jennings Signs as CNN Political Commentator | RunSwitch PR". RunSwitch PR. June 22, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  11. ^ "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan". joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  12. ^ "Battling Hard for New Mexico's Five Electoral Votes". NPR. October 22, 2004. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  13. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 27, 2008. Retrieved March 6, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 27, 2008. Retrieved March 6, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^ Morris, Valerie (November 13, 2019). "McConnell protege emerges as Kentucky's next rising star". TheHill. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  17. ^ Sonka, Joe. "Daniel Cameron wins Kentucky attorney general race in historic victory". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  18. ^ a b Scott Higham; Robert O'Harrow Jr. (March 26, 2007). "GSA Chief Is Accused of Playing Politics: Doan Denies 'Improper' Use of Agency for GOP". Washington Post. p. A01.
  19. ^ Scott Higham; Robert O'Harrow Jr. (April 24, 2007). "GSA Briefing Now Part Of Wider Investigation". Washington Post. p. A03.
  20. ^ "Governmentwide Hatch Act probe remains in early stages (5/29/07) -- www.GovernmentExecutive.com". www.govexec.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2007.
  21. ^ "Political Briefings At Agencies Disclosed". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  22. ^ "Press Briefing by Dana Perino". archives.gov. April 26, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  23. ^ a b White House Aide Won’t Answer Questions of a Senate Panel, New York Times, Neil A. Lewis, August 3, 2007. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  24. ^ Tom Hamburger and David G. Savage (August 12, 2009). "Karl Rove took active role in U.S. attorney's firing, documents show". Los Angeles Times.
  25. ^ Bailey, Phillip M. (July 21, 2014). "Mitch McConnell's Aid to Mississippi Republican Incumbent Angers Kentucky Tea Party Activists". WFPL News. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  26. ^ "American Derby". NYMag.com. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  27. ^ "How Republican Scott Jennings and his political ad machines helped shape the Senate race in McConnell's favor". cn|2. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  28. ^ "How the man behind a major PAC says GOP independent expenditure groups helped to take control of the House". cn|2. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  29. ^ "Republican PAC sends Clinton birthday greetings". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  30. ^ "Respect the will of Republican voters: Opposing view". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  31. ^ Gregory, Kathryn. "The Courier Journal wins 45+ local journalism awards, including Journalist of the Year". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  32. ^ "Courier Journal wins 50 Society of Professional Journalists Awards". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  33. ^ "Scott Jennings | Author | RealClearPolitics". www.realclearpolitics.com. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  34. ^ "Report: Louisville conservative Scott Jennings offered position in Trump administration". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  35. ^ Amber Rose's Republican Convention Speech Praised: 'Classy', Newsweek, Aila Slisco, July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  36. ^ "Scott Jennings to talk tribalism, party system as spring fellow at Harvard Kennedy School". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  37. ^ "Mitch McConnell Meets Students, Faust on Quiet Visit to Harvard | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  38. ^ "A Conversation with Reince Priebus". The Institute of Politics at Harvard University. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  39. ^ "Scott Jennings". www.hks.harvard.edu. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  40. ^ "Op-Ed: Why do Republicans still back Trump? The answer is simple: Attitude and gratitude". Los Angeles Times. March 10, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  41. ^ "Op-Ed: Tiger Woods gave his children the gift of seeing him at his best". Los Angeles Times. April 15, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
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