Kurt Winstead’s campaign for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District seat is scheduled to hold an out-of-state fundraiser with D.C. lobbyists and disqualified TN-5 candidate Morgan Ortagus on June 15.
The event will be held at the home of Jeff Miller, the founder and CEO of Miller Strategies, LLC.
It is styled as a meet-and-greet, but the document obtained by The Tennessee Star does contain encouragement for financial contributions.
Miller’s website says, “With more than 25 years of experience in Republican leadership roles, Jeff has built a reputation as a nationally respected Republican strategist, fundraiser, and public affairs advisor. In fact, a recent Associated Press article highlighted Miller as ‘very influential in Washington, a leading fundraiser,’ and a ‘powerbroker.’
Miller has served as finance chair of the 2020 Republican National Convention, vice finance chair of the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee, political advisor for Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, finance chair for the California Republican Party, the California campaign chair for Perry for President in 2012, co-finance chair for the Republican Governors Association, and political advisor to former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
His firm has or currently represents clients that include: Amazon Web Services, AshBritt Environmental, The Blackstone Group, Charles Schwab, PhRMA, PG&E, and Dow Chemical.
In addition to Miller and Ortagus, Sam Geduldig and John Stipicevic of the public affairs firm CGCN are on the host committee for the event.
Sam Geduldig is the co-CEO of CGCN. His bio on the company website says, “In addition to his work with CGCN Group, Geduldig is also a partner at United by Interest, Washington’s first bipartisan majority minority-owned lobbying firm.”
“Before joining CGCN in 2007, Geduldig served in multiple roles for John Boehner before the Ohio Republican became speaker. He also worked as a top aide on the House Financial Services Committee to then-Chairman Mike Oxley. Geduldig spent four years as the top liaison between House GOP leaders and the business community as a senior advisor to then-House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, now in the U.S. Senate,” it adds.
United by Interest’s section on CGCN’s website states, “In our rapidly changing political environment, the traditional top-down approach is no longer good enough for businesses to achieve their public policy goals. Success requires broad coalitions and key relationships at every level. That’s why CGCN is proud to partner with United by Interest (UBI), the first bipartisan, majority-minority owned government relations and public affairs firm in Washington. People often talk about desiring bipartisanship, but the team at UBI has a track record of accomplishing it. Their coalition-building combined with CGCN’s best in class advocacy and communications capabilities mean we’re ready to tackle any challenge. From the grassroots all the way to the most exclusive halls of power, CGCN and UBI will build an integrated strategy to engage the right people to deliver the results you need. How can CGCN + UBI help you?”
John Stipicevic is the CGCN chief advocacy office, which is another way of saying chief lobbyist. His bio says, “John Stipicevic understands the inner-workings of the House floor – and what it takes to pass or stop legislation – as well as anyone in Washington. He spent nearly a dozen years in the Capitol, most recently as a top aide to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. He helped party leaders and chairmen craft legislative strategies and count votes, as well as playing key roles in a number of contested leadership races.”
“Recognized as a “Top Lobbyist” by The Hill newspaper, Stipicevic spent a decade at the center of every major issue before the House of Representatives,” it continues. “He was a member of the whip operations under Rep. McCarthy and his predecessors, former Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor and former Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt.”
CGCN’s other co-CEO is Matt Rhoades, the 2012 campaign manager for the Romney/Ryan presidential campaign.
Several prominent employees at the organization previously worked for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, Bush for President, McCain for President, and other GOP establishment figures.
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, and Parler.
Photo “Kurt Winstead” by Kurt Winstead. Photo “Morgan Ortagus” by Morgan Ortagus.
