Power Lists
The 2025 Political Consultants Power 100
The top operatives winning electoral and issue campaigns across New York.
City & State presents the 2025 Political Consultants Power 100. Sean Pavone/Getty Images
New York is not a swing state, but it’s been the epicenter of some of the biggest political battles lately. Democrats flipped four House seats here, gaining ground on Republicans – but still falling short of a majority. President-elect Donald Trump picked up support in the solidly blue state on his march to victory in November, and Republicans have continued to notch electoral wins across New York City’s outer boroughs and in other parts of the state. Meanwhile, New Yorkers debated such contentious issues as congestion pricing, affordable housing and the state’s Equal Rights Amendment.
For the biggest campaigns, entire armies of consultants are marshaled to support one side or the other. They’re made up of seasoned strategists, pollsters, fundraisers, researchers, ad-makers, media buyers, field directors, communications advisers – and more.
City & State’s 2025 Political Consultants Power 100 highlights the players who provide these services in the most consequential campaigns in New York. This list features consultants active in local, state and federal campaigns across New York from November 2023 through November 2024 – including firms based outside the state who nonetheless are shaping key races here. The ranking takes into account key clients, win-loss record and publicly reported campaign revenues; assesses the importance of each campaign and a consultant's impact on it; and incorporates other subjective factors like a consultant’s proximity to powerful politicians. The list also highlights consultants who drive issue advocacy campaigns or independent expenditures, even if they’re harder to track.
Read on to see who made the cut for City & State’s latest Political Consultants Power 100.
1. John McLaughlin & Jim McLaughlin
Multiple Democratic consulting firms in New York are truly national operations, but few local Republican shops have such a reach. One exception is McLaughlin & Associates, a polling firm headquartered in the Hudson Valley hamlet of Blauvelt. This cycle, the McLaughlin brothers were polling strategists for President-elect Donald Trump, bolstering a comeback bid in which he swept all seven key swing states. The firm also aided 13 successful House GOP candidates across the country. In New York, the firm worked with Rep. Mike Lawler and state Sens. Jack Martins, Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Bill Weber, but fell short with a multimillion-dollar ad blitz opposing Proposal 1, or the Equal Rights Amendment, that passed in New York.
Key clients: Donald Trump for president; Republican National Committee; Mike Sapraicone for U.S. Senate; Mike Lawler and Mazi Melesa Pilip for Congress; National Republican Congressional Committee; Nassau County Republican Committee; Vote NO on Prop One Committee; Jack Martins and Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick for state Senate; Brian Curran and John McGowan for Assembly; New York State Conservative Party
2. Jefrey Pollock & Nick Gourevitch
Jefrey Pollock may be best known as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s pollster, but his polling expertise is utilized by other ambitious Democratic governors, including JB Pritzker of Illinois and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Arguably Global Strategy Group’s greatest accomplishment in the 2024 cycle was helping Hudson Valley Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan secure one of the largest margins of victory in a battleground district this year while outperforming Vice President Kamala Harris by 10 points. Pollock and Nick Gourevitch – who have revamped their polling process after 2020 – also helped George Latimer beat Jamaal Bowman in the most expensive House primary in history. Other key staffers include Annie Norbitz, Brett Cott, Erin Farrell, Paige Betoff and Chris Stauffer.
Key clients: Kamala Harris for president; Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate; Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee; Pat Ryan, George Latimer and Paul Tonko for Congress; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; Proposal 1, which was called the New York Equal Rights Amendment
3. Spencer Lee, Joe Reubens & Tess McRae
State Senate Democrats relinquished their supermajority in 2024, but lost just one seat: a southern Brooklyn district flipped by Republican Steve Chan. With the help of its longtime political consulting firm, The Parkside Group, the party retained the rest of their seats while welcoming April Baskin, Chris Ryan and Patricia Fahy, a former Assembly member, to their ranks. Parkside, which is led by Harry Giannoulis and Evan Stavisky, also handled mailers for Rep. Tom Suozzi as he won his old House seat in a high-profile special election. Key employees at the firm include Spencer Lee, Joe Reubens, Tess McRae, Jorge Perez and CeCe Szkutak. The firm is expanding its nonprofit fundraising practice as well.
Key clients: Tom Suozzi for Congress; New York State Democratic Committee; New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee; Andrew Gounardes, Michelle Hinchey, Rachel May, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Pete Harckham, Monica Martinez, Jeremy Cooney, Samra Brouk, Lea Webb, Toby Stavisky, April Baskin, Patricia Fahy, Chris Ryan, Iwen Chu, Kim Keiserman, Yvette Valdés Smith, Minita Sanghvi and Sarah Anker for state Senate
4. Aaron Hecht, Katie Moore & Doug Forand
Red Horse Strategies has long been one of New York’s premier political consulting firms and is one of its most comprehensive – guiding campaign strategy, running political and issue campaigns, cultivating grassroots support, producing television, radio and digital ads and generating attention on social media. This cycle, the firm worked with a number of Democratic candidates at the federal and state levels, including Reps. Grace Meng and Nydia Velázquez. Red Horse co-founder Doug Forand stepped away from the firm temporarily to do significant work for George Latimer, who won the state’s biggest congressional primary this year.
Key clients: Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate; Nydia Velázquez, Grace Meng, John Avlon and Ted Lieu for Congress; New York State Democratic Committee; Working Families Party PAC; Shelley Mayer, James Skoufis and Siela Bynoe for state Senate; Amy Paulin, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Larinda Hooks, Chloe Pierce, Ian Phillips, Leonardo Coello and Yi Andy Chen for Assembly; Susan Cacace for Westchester County district attorney; Abundant New York, a pro-housing independent expenditure for Open New York
5. Valerie Berlin
BerlinRosen reached the peak of its power when longtime ally Bill de Blasio got to City Hall, and it’s hoping another longtime client, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, wins the mayoralty this year. In the meantime, the Democratic firm has been active supporting legislative candidates at the federal and state levels, including Reps. Pat Ryan and Laura Gillen, who won key races in 2024. While the firm produced campaign literature and mailings for the state Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, BerlinRosen’s direct state legislative candidates stumbled, including state Senate candidates Kim Keiserman and Elijah Reichlin-Melnick and Assembly contender Gabi Madden.
Key clients: Dan Goldman, Laura Gillen, Pat Ryan and Sarah Klee Hood for Congress; New York State Democratic Committee; Working Families Party PAC; Open Democracy PAC; Forward Majority Action; Kim Keiserman and Elijah Reichlin-Melnick for state Senate; Michelle Frazier, Gabi Madden, Adrienne Martini, Owusu Anane and Skyler Johnson for Assembly; New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee; New Yorkers for Equal Rights; Erik Bottcher for New York City Council
6. Mike Morey, Pia Carusone & Daniel Barash
The presidential election didn’t go the way SKDK hoped, despite alum Anita Dunn’s best efforts, but the national consulting firm tipped key House swing district Democrats into the victory column. SKDK helped Josh Riley upset Republican Marc Molinaro by 2 points in a critical race. The firm also guided Rep. Tom Suozzi past Mazi Melesa Pilip in a February special election before his reelection in November, helped April Baskin become the first woman of color to represent Buffalo in the state Senate and assisted U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego in Arizona. Other key employees include CEO Doug Thornell as well as Oren Shur, Bill Knapp, Kerri Lyon, Morgan Hook, Michael Frazier, Devon Puglia and Bryan Lesswing.
Key clients: Kamala Harris for president; Tom Suozzi, Josh Riley and Joe Morelle for Congress; Michael Keane for Erie County district attorney; April Baskin for state Senate; House Majority PAC; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; NAACP
7. Neal Kwatra
One of the top consultants in New York is Neal Kwatra, an experienced operative who drives outcomes largely behind the scenes. Over the past year, he teamed up with Maury Litwack and the Teach Coalition in their efforts to organize and mobilize Jewish voters, notably supporting George Latimer in his primary win over incumbent Jamaal Bowman. Kwatra’s Metropolitan Public Strategies also helped groups pushing for the implementation of congestion pricing in New York and building more affordable housing, two of the hottest topics in New York.
Key clients: Steve Witkoff/The Witkoff Group, Riders Alliance, Jewish Voters Action Network, Ørsted, Haussmann Development, Resorts World, Bally’s
8. John Brabender & Tom Dunham
BrabenderCox has a long-established presence in Pennsylvania and in Washington, D.C., and it’s becoming a key player in other states, including New York, Texas, South Carolina and Indiana. The firm did $1.3 million in video production and digital consulting work for President-elect Donald Trump, serving as the campaign’s lead media agency and producing television advertisements as well as promotional videos at the Republican National Convention. In New York, the firm helped Rep. Mike Lawler win a critical congressional matchup. Key staffers at the firm include Chief Creative Officer John Brabender, Senior Strategist Tom Dunham and Senior Communications Strategist Matt Beynon.
Key clients: Donald Trump for president; Mike Sapraicone for U.S. Senate; Mike Lawler, Nicole Malliotakis and Mazi Melesa Pilip for Congress; Bill Weber and Gina Arena for state Senate; Matthew Slater and John McGowan for Assembly; Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Stand With Crypto Alliance
9. Melissa Mark-Viverito, Tyler Aldrich & Scott Berlin
As Democrats cede ground with Latino voters, demand is high for consultants who can connect with Hispanics – and the Hamilton Campaign Network does just that. The outfit, part of Luis Miranda Jr. and Roberto Ramirez’s MirRam Group, counted among its recent clients the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (involving work for Reps. Laura Gillen, Josh Riley and John Mannion) and the state Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee, as well as individual state legislative candidates. The firm also has long-standing relationships with state Attorney General Letitia James and Rep. Adriano Espaillat and has expanded its reach in New Jersey. Other key employees include partners Eduardo Castell and Luz Miranda-Crespo as well as Jennifer Saldaña, Johnny Drake and Tony Reyes.
Key clients: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; Adriano Espaillat for Congress; Latino Victory Fund; New York State Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee; Nathalia Fernandez for state Senate; Demond Meeks, Didi Barrett, Michael Benedetto, Catalina Cruz and Chris Eachus, Yi Andy Chen and Harpreet Toor for Assembly; Jobs New York Committee; Passaic County Democrats
10. Jake Dilemani, Charlie King & Jon Reinish
Mercury had a hand in Jamaal Bowman’s Democratic primary defeat, helping George Latimer’s victory on behalf of Teach Coalition and the National Black Empowerment Action Fund. The bipartisan consulting firm, which files some campaign work under the name Renaissance Campaign Strategies, also helped a trio of Assembly candidates – Ron Kim, Eddie Gibbs and Jordan Wright – win tough races. Mercury’s Charlie King is reportedly lined up to be a key consultant on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s expected New York City mayoral campaign. The firm has also hired fundraiser Jennifer Bayer Michaels, campaign strategist Al Freedman and former state Sen. Kevin Thomas. Other key employees include Carolyn Riggs, Michael Hardaway, Gregory Smiley, Jack Scordato, Edu Hermelyn, Matt Coleman, Elias Cohen and Michael Nitzky.
Key clients: National Black Empowerment Action Fund; Teach Coalition; Stand Up PAC independent expenditure; Eddie Gibbs, Jordan Wright, Ron Kim and Joey Saban for Assembly; Keith Powers for New York City Council; Thomas Walsh II for Rockland County district attorney; William Wagstaff for Westchester County district attorney; Asian Americans for a Better America; Transport Workers Union Local 100; PSC-CUNY; Unmask Hate NY coalition
11. Tucker Green, Max Kramer & Michael Kenney
The Threshold Group had its best year ever in 2024 thanks to Tucker Green, Max Kramer and Michael Kenney’s fundraising and paid media efforts in multiple states. The business, which also includes the CVC Group, helped Tim Kennedy and George Latimer win congressional seats and positioned Rebecca Kassay to unseat a Republican Assembly incumbent in Port Jefferson on Long Island. They’ve consulted with unions and advocacy groups, including the Democratic Majority for Israel – which backed Latimer – as well as the United Federation of Teachers and 32BJ SEIU. They continue to work with Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli as well. Other key employees include Andy McIndoo, Brittany Wise and Keren Gekker.
Key clients: Tim Kennedy and Josh Lafazan for Congress; New York State Democratic Committee; Jeremy Cooney and Monica Martinez for state Senate; New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee; Rebecca Kassay and Jo Anne Simon for Assembly; Adrienne Adams and Julie Menin for New York City Council; Democratic Majority for Israel; United Federation of Teachers; 32BJ SEIU; Erie County Democratic Committee; Nassau County Democratic Committee; Adeel Mirza for Westchester County district attorney; Jeff Harrington for Erie County Family Court judge; Dalio Education Foundation
12. Mark Guma
Mark Guma’s first job out of college was working as a press secretary for longtime former Rep. Nita Lowey’s congressional campaign. He has since founded his own public affairs firm and has consulted on scores of pivotal Democratic congressional campaigns, including those of Reps. Ritchie Torres and Dan Goldman, and advised a slew of state lawmakers, including state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Members Micah Lasher, Stacey Pheffer Amato and Pat Burke. Guma also helped Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie keep his Democratic supermajority in the Assembly, consults for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg – and is still known for guiding a contingent of candidates who ousted members of the former state Senate Independent Democratic Conference.
Key clients: Richie Torres and Dan Goldman for Congress; Brad Hoylman-Sigal for state Senate; Stacey Pheffer Amato, Marianne Buttenschon, Pat Burke, Al Stirpe, Didi Barrett, Jen Lunsford, Monica Wallace, Gina Sillitti, Micah Lasher, Rebecca Kassay, Judy Griffin, Kwani O’Pharrow, Chris McCreight, Chloe Pierce and Paula Kay for Assembly; Chris Liberati-Conant for Columbia County district attorney
13. Brendan Klein, Carl Sanford & Sam Powers
Brendan Klein founded North Shore Strategies a decade ago, and the firm has since expanded to work in 10 states. The firm recently helped George Latimer defeat now-former Rep. Jamaal Bowman in a closely watched primary, knocked on a million doors and raised $2 million for their clients across multiple states. North Shore also maintained deep connections in the outer boroughs last year, assisting state Sens. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman and, in 2023, the New York City Council campaigns of Chris Banks and Shekar Krishnan. Other key employees at the firm include Carl Sanford, Sam Powers and Eric Soto.
Key clients: George Latimer and John Avlon for Congress; New York State Democratic Committee; Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Samra Brouk, Andrew Gounardes and Brad Schwartz for state Senate; Stefani Zinerman, Steve Stern and Noah Burroughs for Assembly; New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee; Democrats for Education Reform; Metropolitan Park; Linda Lee, Chris Banks, Shekar Krishnan and Tony Avella for New York City Council; Adeel Mirza for Westchester County district attorney
14. Trip Yang, Albert Suh & Paige Havener
In a year when voters rejected incumbents and much of the country shifted red, Trip Yang and Albert Suh helped their Democratic clients hold on and even oust a few Republicans in 2024. Yang helped Laura Gillen notch a narrow victory over then-Rep. Anthony D’Esposito via an independent expenditure and assisted in Rep. Tom Suozzi’s election to a full term on behalf of the state Democratic Party. Yang’s firm also secured wins in competitive races for Democratic Assembly Members Ron Kim and Judy Griffin, the latter of whom flipped a Republican-held seat in Nassau County. The team will be busy in 2025 as well, helping New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and several New York City Council candidates in their races.
Key clients: New York State Democratic Party on behalf of House candidates Tom Suozzi and John Avlon; AAPI Victory Fund; Cordell Cleare and Kim Keiserman for state Senate; Steven Raga, Al Taylor, Catalina Cruz and Lisa Ortiz for Assembly; Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee; Laborers Building a Better NY independent expenditure in support of Larinda Hooks for Assembly; Cassandra Johnson for Surrogate’s Court judge; Amish Doshi for Civil Court judge
Editor’s note: Trip Yang is a member of City & State’s advisory board.
15. Stephan Marshall, Lashea Woodson & Leslie Patterson
If you want to win elected office in Queens, call Connective Strategies. The political consulting firm, led by Tyquana Henderson-Rivers, has propelled some of the borough’s top politicians to victory, including Rep. Greg Meeks, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. This past cycle, the firm’s client portfolio included newly elected Assembly Member Larinda Hooks and Civil Court Judge Sharifa Nasser-Cuéllar. Connective Strategies also partnered with the New York City Campaign Finance Board to improve voter education in low-turnout communities and the firm expanded its Faith-Based Initiative. Other key staffers include Stephan Marshall, Lashea Woodson and Leslie Patterson.
Key clients: Greg Meeks for Congress; Taylor Darling for state Senate; Larinda Hooks for Assembly; Sharifa Nasser-Cuéllar and Amish Doshi for Civil Court judge; Cassandra Johnson for Surrogate’s Court judge; Healthcare Education Project; FedEx; New York City Campaign Finance Board; SL Green
16. Chris Russell & Amanda Woloshen
Since founding Checkmate Strategies in 2018, Chris Russell and Amanda Woloshen Glass have helped Republican candidates win tough races in New York and New Jersey. One of their most promising clients is Rockland County Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who co-founded Checkmate. Lawler defeated former Rep. Mondaire Jones by 6 points in a race where more than $25 million was spent. Checkmate Strategies’ messaging strategy allowed Lawler to be one of only three House Republicans who won a seat in a district that Vice President Kamala Harris carried. The team also helped state Sen. Bill Weber overcome Elijah Reichlin-Melnick’s comeback bid.
Key clients: Mike Lawler for Congress; Bill Weber and Gina Arena for state Senate; New York Republican State Committee; Orangetown Republican Committee
17. Rachel Noerdlinger, Michael McKeon & John Tomlin
Rachel Noerdlinger, Michael McKeon and John Tomlin form a powerhouse trio at Actum, the consulting firm founded in late 2021. Noerdlinger, a public relations veteran who has long worked for the Rev. Al Sharpton, helped the NAACP halt a proposed waste transfer station. The firm also helped Fire Island secure government funding to tackle beach erosion and aided Resorts World in its bid for a full-fledged casino license in Queens. Actum also positioned Georgia-based PPL to win New York’s consolidated contract for a major Medicaid-funded home care program. Other key Actum employees include Ryan Adams, formerly of HZQ Consulting, as well as Jason Elan, Nialah Edari, Andrew Kirtzman and Terence Cullen.
Key clients: PPL; Win With Black Women/Rev. Al Sharpton; Resorts World; FPWA; Uber and DoorDash
Editor’s note: Andrew Kirtzman is a member of City & State’s advisory board.
18. Anson Kaye, Jodi Quintero & Valentina Perez
The road to winning back the majority in Congress has been a long one for Democrats, but Anson Kaye, Jodi Quintero and Valentina Perez are providing the strategic muscle behind House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ quest for the speakership. Their Washington, D.C.-based advertising and media buying firm, GMMB, led independent expenditure campaigns in three New York congressional races, all of which Democrats won, and spearheaded ballot initiatives in Arizona, Maryland and Vermont that protected abortion rights. They also managed the successful campaign for New York voters to pass the Equal Rights Amendment in November.
Key clients: Laura Gillen and John Avlon for Congress; independent expenditures in New York’s 4th, 18th and 22nd Congressional Districts; New Yorkers for Equal Rights; New York State Democratic Committee; Josh Lafazan for state Senate
19. Peter Jones, Ed Peavy & Ellen Foster
Peter Jones, Ed Peavy and Ellen Foster have shaped Mission Control into one of the premier Democratic direct mail firms in the country. In 2018, Mission Control helped flip 19 House races blue, and in this past election cycle worked with Democrats Josh Riley and John Mannion to unseat two upstate Republican members of Congress. The Connecticut-based firm has worked with federal and state legislative candidates across the country, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, state Sen. Monica Martinez and the Suffolk County Democratic Party in New York.
Key clients: Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate; John Mannion and Josh Riley for Congress; Monica Martinez and Craig Herskowitz for state Senate; New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee; Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee; Steve Stern, Rebecca Kassay and Scott Budow for Assembly; Errol Toulon for Suffolk County sheriff; Suffolk County Democratic Party; Laborers Building a Better New York PAC; New Yorkers for Equal Rights
20. André Richardson, Kira Charles & Majoi Mitchell
André Richardson and his colleagues at Paragon Strategies are the brain trust behind Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ expeditious climb toward the House minority leader (and they hope, a speakership someday) and the new face of the Democratic Party. Richardson also assisted House Majority PAC, which nearly wrested control of the chamber from Republicans, and he helped Democratic Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman defeat her primary rival Eon Huntley by 479 votes. The firm recently brought on Majoi Mitchell, who helped Rep. Laura Gillen win a key House race in November.
Key clients: Hakeem Jeffries for Congress; House Majority PAC; Jeremy Cooney for state Senate; Stephanie Zinerman and Joey Cohen-Saban for Assembly; New York State Democratic Committee; Nassau County Democratic Committee; Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind
21. Kim DiTomasso, Nuha Kaleel & Jodie Reaver
When George Latimer needed to build up his war chest ahead of a pricey primary bid to unseat then-Rep. Jamaal Bowman, he turned to Kim DiTomasso. The women-owned firm helped the then-Westchester County executive haul in over $6 million, including a quick $1.4 million last January for what became the most expensive House primary in U.S. history. DiTomasso also helped Democratic Reps. Grace Meng and Paul Tonko as well as Democratic legislators in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, including state Sens. Pete Harckham and Shelley Mayer as well as Assembly Member Amy Paulin.
Key clients: George Latimer, Grace Meng and Paul Tonko for Congress; Pete Harckham and Shelley Mayer for state Senate; Amy Paulin, Michael Benedetto and MaryJane Shimsky for Assembly; Susan Cacace for Westchester County district attorney; Westchester County Democratic Committee
22. Richard Fife
Richard Fife built up an impressive track record with iconic Manhattan Democrats, including former state Comptroller H. Carl McCall and state Sen. Robert Jackson before helping to elect Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg – who secured an unprecedented 34-count felony conviction against President-elect Donald Trump in May. Fife also helped Rep. Dan Goldman win a crowded primary in 2022 for a newly drawn congressional district covering lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn and remains a campaign adviser. Fife is also still on the campaign team of Bragg, who’s up for reelection in 2025.
Key clients: Dan Goldman for Congress; Robert Jackson for state Senate; Al Taylor for Assembly; Democracy Action Now PAC
23. Alex DeGrasse
Alex DeGrasse has stood by Elise Stefanik since she first flipped a North Country seat in 2014 and during her ascent to become the highest-ranking woman in the House Republican Party. In the meantime, DeGrasse founded North Country Strategies, which has become a top digital fundraising firm. He helped haul in $35 million for national Republicans and worked with several President-elect Donald Trump-related committees and the state Republican Party – helping maintain a narrow GOP majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Even though Stefanik has been nominated as U.N. ambassador, DeGrasse is still on Team Elise.
Key clients: Elise Stefanik for Congress; E-PAC; Elise Victory Fund; Trump National Committee JFC Inc.; Republican National Committee; National Republican Congressional Committee; National Republican Senatorial Committee; Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee; Rudy Giuliani Freedom Fund
24. Tony Fabrizio
If anyone could have predicted President-elect Donald Trump’s rising support among New Yorkers in the past election, it would have been Tony Fabrizio. Fabrizio was a lead pollster on Trump’s 2016 and 2024 campaigns, both of which performed better than expected by much of the political establishment. The firm also did polling for Long Island Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota, the latter of whom held on to a key swing seat. Fabrizio, who has been at Fabrizio, Lee & Associates for a decade and a half, previously worked at a polling firm with another veteran Trump pollster, John McLaughlin.
Key clients: Donald Trump for president; Make America Great Again super PAC; Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino for Congress; National Republican Congressional Committee
25. Mike Bocian, Margie Omero & Michelle Mayorga
For 14 years, Mike Bocian has grown GBAO into one of the top Democratic pollsters in the country. The Washington, D.C.-based firm, where Margie Omero and Michelle Mayorga are also partners, was named pollster of the year in 2019 and 2022 by the American Association of Political Consultants. Last year, GBAO advised several New York lawmakers’ campaigns, including Reps. Tom Suozzi and John Mannion and a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee independent expenditure for Rep. Pat Ryan. They even pitched in to assist the New York Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and The New York Times. Other key employees include Jim Gerstein, Jerel Williams, Karl Agne, Ana Iparraguirre, Meg Marchand and Nisha Jain.
Key clients: Tom Suozzi, John Mannion and Mondaire Jones for Congress; House Majority PAC; Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, including a DCCC independent expenditure for Pat Ryan for Congress; Mark Poloncarz for Erie County executive; Michael Keane for Erie County district attorney; Adeel Mirza for Westchester County district attorney; New York Hotel and Gaming Trades Council; The New York Times; The Wall Street Journal
26. Chris Coffey
Tusk Strategies is a multifaceted consulting firm, providing political, communications and policy strategy for a range of corporations, startups and other organizations in New York and elsewhere. It also has deep roots in political campaigns, from founder Bradley Tusk’s successful stint running then-New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s reelection campaign to CEO Chris Coffey’s positioning of Andrew Yang as the early front-runner in the 2021 Democratic mayoral primary. Among the firm’s key clients over the years are Uber, FanDuel and the National Retail Federation. Other key employees include Shontell Smith, a former top aide to state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and state government veteran Eric Soufer.
27. Jason Ortiz & Jenny Sedlis
Since its founding in 2021, Moonshot Strategies has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in New York policymaking. Co-founder Jason Ortiz brings a wealth of experience and connections at the intersection of government and organized labor, having served as political director for what’s now known as the New York Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. Co-founder Jenny Sedlis, who previously ran StudentsFirstNY, is a force in the charter school and education policy sphere. Among its recent clients are the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, 32BJ SEIU and Uber.
28. Becky Stern, Ana Hall & Marissa Solomon
Pythia is spearheading ambitious issue campaigns. Thanks to Becky Stern, Ana Hall and Marissa Solomon, in 2024, Pythia helped pass the Fashion Workers Act and protections for children and teenagers on social media. They’re driving climate bills, including the NY Heat Act, and supported City of Yes, a New York City zoning initiative allowing increased density and the conversion of unused office space. Co-founder Evan Thies, an architect of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 election, also represented the Hotel Association of New York City in a fight over a hotel licensing bill. The other co-founder of the firm is Alexis Grenell, while another key employee is Noah Richter, while the firm recently brought on Adaku Nwokiwu and Jessica Madris.
Key clients: Andrew Gounardes for state Senate; New York Public Interest Research Group; Common Sense; Related Companies; Model Alliance; RISE Light and Power; Common Cause New York; Beyond Plastics; Spring Street Climate Fund; Waymo
29. Patrick B. Jenkins
For Patrick B. Jenkins’ political consulting work, it’s not about the quantity of his clients, it’s about the quality. Jenkins, who’s a well-known lobbyist in Albany, consults for one of the most important politicians in the state: Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Jenkins’ eponymous firm also worked last year with state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, who’s the Bronx Democratic Party chair, state Sen. Nathalia Fernandez and the Speaker Heastie PAC. In 2023, his firm advised and fundraised for New York City Council Member Kevin Riley.
Key clients: Jamaal Bailey and Nathalia Fernandez for state Senate; Speaker Heastie PAC; Carl Heastie for Assembly; Kevin Riley for New York City Council
30. Rasheida Smith
Rasheida Smith brings plenty of experience to New Jersey-based Dunton Consulting, having worked with the likes of former Rep. Charlie Rangel and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey. This year, her firm was paid nearly a million dollars by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for canvassing. In New York, her recent clients include Assembly Members Jenifer Rajkumar and Eddie Gibbs as well as New York Women Lead, a real estate-backed PAC that supported Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman in her 2024 Democratic primary race. Dunton Consulting also helped Broome County Executive Jason Garnar win an unprecedented third term.
Key clients: Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee; New York Women Lead PAC; Jessica Ramos for state Senate; Jenifer Rajkumar, Eddie Gibbs, Jordan Wright, Larinda Hooks and Tina Posterli for Assembly; Jason Garnar for Broome County executive
31. Barry Caro
For more than a decade, Barry Caro has coordinated political and issue campaigns throughout the state. The former Actum staffer also steered a field campaign for Tom Suozzi to reclaim his Nassau County and Queens congressional seat in a February special election after former Rep. George Santos was expelled from the House. The Democratic consultant also oversaw an independent expenditure campaign that knocked on tens of thousands of doors for Queens Assembly Member Larinda Hooks in her primary against ex-lawmaker Hiram Monserrate. And he helped Assembly Member Rebecca Kassay topple incumbent Ed Flood by several hundred votes in one of the few Republican-held Assembly seats to flip to the Democrats on Long Island.
Key clients: Tom Suozzi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress; Common Sense New York; New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee; Simcha Felder, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Pete Harckham, Monica Martinez, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Kim Keiserman and Sarah Anker for state Senate; Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee; Rebecca Kassay, Steven Raga and Gina Sillitti for Assembly; Larinda Hooks for Assembly independent expenditure; William Wagstaff for Westchester County district attorney
32. Sean Gagen
Sean Gagen founded Grassroots SG with a mission to train political advocates and campaign staffers to be better grassroots organizers. His Virginia-based field organizing firm has managed ballot access programs for the past five presidential cycles and led a campaign camp training program. This year, he worked with a slew of Democratic state Senate candidates in New York, including Chris Ryan, Michelle Hinchey, Patricia Fahy, April Baskin, Lea Webb and Rachel May. The firm also worked with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to support Rep. Tom Suozzi’s special election campaign.
Key clients: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the Tom Suozzi for Congress special election; Michelle Hinchey, Jeremy Cooney, Rachel May, Lea Webb, Patricia Fahy, April Baskin and Yvette Valdés Smith for state Senate; Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee
33. Justin Chae, Eugene Noh & Andy Tucker
Voters in New York’s outer boroughs, suburbs and exurbs have been tilting further right, but Justin Chae helped some key Democratic clients survive the Republican wave. His firm Legion, which recently changed its name from Meridian, helped state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky and Assembly Members Sam Berger and Ron Kim secure reelection while also assisting Women Lead, a PAC that funded Democratic victories in four New York congressional races. Legion has also been developing an artificial intelligence hiring system that should expedite emailing, scheduling and onboarding tasks for its campaign field teams going forward. Key employees include Eugene Noh, Andy Tucker, Stefan Smetko, Jack Saxby and Justin Cline.
Key clients: Toby Ann Stavisky and Iwen Chu for state Senate; Sam Berger, Ron Kim, Kalman Yeger and Johanna Carmona for Assembly; Long Island Law Enforcement Foundation; Women Lead PAC; Total Wine & Liquor
34. Meredith Kelly
Declaration Media broke into the New York political market as a key consultant for Gov. Kathy Hochul, helping the incumbent win a full term in 2022 after she had assumed the role following the unceremonious exit of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The national advertising and consulting firm for Democratic candidates, with offices in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, has continued to advise Hochul while also signing on with another female rising star in the New York Democratic Party: Rep. Laura Gillen, who knocked Republican Anthony D’Esposito out of office in the November election.
Key clients: Laura Gillen for Congress; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
35. Lupe Todd-Medina
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries may be just one more election cycle away from becoming speaker of the House, and Lupe Todd-Medina was with him back when he was first mounting a longshot bid for the Assembly. Todd-Medina, who runs her own firm, Effective Media Strategies, has worked with a number of influential Democrats over the years, from then-Newark Mayor Cory Booker to Gov. Kathy Hochul. Last year, Todd-Medina helped Brooklyn Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman fend off a competitive primary challenge from DSA-backed challenger Eon Huntley.
Key clients: Stefani Zinerman and Anathea Chartrand Simpkins for Assembly
Editor’s note: Lupe Todd-Medina is a member of City & State’s advisory board.
36. Sydney Watnick
Nearly three years ago, Sydney Watnick came on as a senior campaign strategist at New Deal Strategies, the Democratic consulting firm led by Rebecca Katz and Camille Rivera. Watnick, who was previously a field campaigns operations director at NYC Health + Hospitals’ Test & Trace Corp., is now a principal at the Brooklyn firm. Last year, New Deal worked for the Kamala Harris super PAC Future Forward and also did significant communications work for U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego’s big win in Arizona. In New York, New Deal continued to advise state Sen. Gustavo Rivera and the Working Families Party.
Key clients: Gustavo Rivera for state Senate; Future Forward PAC; New York Working Families Party; Center for Popular Democracy; Voto Latino
37. Jack O’Donnell & Alec Lewis
Jack O’Donnell and Alec Lewis have helped countless upstate Democrats win in purple districts that have trended redder in recent years. Syracuse State Sen. John Mannion can thank O’Donnell & Associates for helping him knock out first-term Rep. Brandon Williams. O’Donnell and Lewis also helped Buffalo lawmaker Tim Kennedy win a special election to Congress in April after Rep. Brian Higgins’ resignation, and worked with Assembly Member Patricia Fahy so she could switch chambers and become the first woman to represent Albany in the state Senate. Other key employees at the firm include Joanna Pasceri, Diane Ong and Michael Greco.
Key clients: Tim Kennedy and John Mannion for Congress; New York State Democratic Committee; New Yorkers Against Gun Violence; Patricia Fahy for state Senate; Emily Essi for Onondaga County Clerk; The Aspen Group (WellNow Urgent Care)
38. Juanita Scarlett & Prisca Salazar-Rodriguez
Bolton-St. Johns recently seized the No. 2 slot in New York’s lobbying hierarchy, but the government affairs firm’s staffers do a lot more than schmoozing with public officials. State government veteran Juanita Scarlett, a key player at the firm for the past six years, also serves on the board of the New Majority NYC, which has enjoyed remarkable success in its efforts to elect more women to the New York City Council. Another partner at Bolton-St. Johns is Prisca Salazar-Rodriguez, who previously worked at Hilltop Public Solutions and is the co-founder of Evolution Strategies, a Latina-led strategic advising, campaign and community engagement firm.
Editor’s note: Juanita Scarlett is a member of City & State’s advisory board.
39. Phil Singer, Liz Benjamin & Matt Hamilton
Marathon Strategies boasts some of the most talented media strategists in the business with deep relationships in Albany, including U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer alum Phil Singer and former journalists Liz Benjamin and Matt Hamilton. The growing firm developed a Trucking Association of New York campaign opposing congestion pricing by highlighting the challenges it posed for truckers who deliver the vast majority of New York City’s goods – building political pressure that led to the temporary pause of the program. Other key employees include Robert Montano, Damien LaVera, Colby Wilson and Tobey Zaretsky, along with junior team members such as Barry Carmody and Gian Marco DeFilippis.
Key clients: Trucking Association of New York; Crown Castle; New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association; New York State Association for Affordable Housing; Volunteers of America-Greater New York; National Grid; Compassion & Choices; New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association; Concern Housing
40. Alex Voetsch, Jeffrey Guillot & Tiffany Bryant
Two months before the November election, Mad Global Strategy acquired Millennial Strategies, bringing Alex Voetsch, Jeffrey Guillot and Tiffany Bryant into the fold of the Summit, New Jersey-based firm. The team managed Mad Global Strategy’s New York operations while retaining existing clients, including the congressional independent expenditure committee Women Lead. This fall, Mad Global Strategy helped Women Lead reach voters through canvassing and TV ad buys that helped flip three New York congressional seats – in the 4th, 19th and 22nd Districts – to Democratic control and kept the contested 18th Congressional District blue as well. Another key employee at the firm is Jenny Kate Schlagel.
Key clients: New York Women Lead independent expenditure; Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic; Planned Parenthood Greater New York Votes; Tony Simone for Assembly
41. Tom Corsillo & Freeman Klopott
Marino has always had a slew of talented operatives who focus on the intersection of politics and real estate, and Tom Corsillo and Freeman Klopott are no exception. Last year, Marino helped the Community Preservation Corp. acquire Signature Bank’s rent-stabilized mortgages after the bank collapsed in March 2023. Marino also assisted the state in administering its $250 million Climate Friendly Homes Fund and helped CPC’s Climate United partnership obtain a $7 billion award from the EPA. The firm also helped CPC launch its podcast “The Housing Problem” with Rafael Cestero and Kirk Goodrich.
Key clients: Community Preservation Corp.; New York City Pharmacists Society; New York City Hospitality Alliance; Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York; American Chemistry Council; Life Insurance Council of New York; PACT Renaissance Collaborative; LISC NY
42. Maggie Moran, Tommy Meara & Sam Berman
It takes moxie to run an effective advocacy campaign – and in New York and New Jersey, it may also take Moxie. Moxie Strategies was founded in 2023 by Maggie Moran, a campaign veteran who previously led Kivvit. The public affairs firm doesn’t work for individual candidates, but supports independent expenditures and works on ballot referendums. In Suffolk County, Moxie’s Proposal 2 campaign for The Nature Conservancy used nonpartisan messaging highlighting the importance of safeguarding clean water to pass easily. Other key staffers at the firm include fellow Kivvit alum Tommy Meara, as well as Sam Berman, Katy Zielinski and Joe Libutti.
Key clients: New York City District Council of Carpenters; New York State Laborers; New York League of Conservation Voters; The Nature Conservancy
43. Andrea Hagelgans & Jaclyn Rothenberg
Avoq, an advocacy firm with offices in major U.S. cities, made big changes in 2024, including hiring Andrea Hagelgans and Jaclyn Rothenberg at its New York office. Hagelgans, a City Hall veteran, came over from Edelman, while Rothenberg left the Federal Emergency Management Agency to join Avoq. The firm, headquartered in Washington, D.C., was rebranded as Avoq at the start of 2024 after the merger of Kivvit and Subject Matter the year before. Ethan Lyle, who worked at Teneo in New York and at Wachsman in Florida, also returned to New York last year to take over as the firm’s New York general manager.
Key clients: Alliance for Clean Energy New York; A More Just NYC; Anheuser-Busch; Asian American Federation; District Council 9 IUPAT; Invenergy; New York State of Health; Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy; SUNY
44. Jimmy Siegel & Miriam Hess
Since he founded Siegel Strategies 15 years ago, Jimmy Siegel has offered a full menu of services to help candidates and advocacy groups craft persuadable messages and win their campaigns. Siegel worked with Tom Suozzi on his high-profile comeback bid for Congress and advised the Committee for Sensible Government, which opposed the Democratic Socialists of America from expanding their seats in power. He also worked with Maryland Rep. David Trone on his U.S. Senate campaign, which fell short in an expensive Democratic primary.
Key clients: Tom Suozzi for Congress; Committee for Sensible Government
45. Benjamin Tulchin, Benjamin Krompak & Corey Teter
In the 16 years since he founded Tulchin Research, Benjamin Tulchin has provided research and consulting services for labor unions, nonprofit organizations and candidates for elected office. He advised New York City Mayor Eric Adams during the first mayoral election on ranked choice voting in 2021 and has continued to advise the mayor in 2023 and 2024. Tulchin also advises the Broadway League, 32BJ SEIU and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. Benjamin Krompak, Corey Teter and Kelsey Bullis are among other key employees at the firm.
Key clients: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; House Majority PAC; Working Families Party; Siela Bynoe for state Senate; Hotel and Gaming Trades Council; 32BJ SEIU; Broadway League
46. Kasey O’Brien, Deb Mayo & Virginia Purcell
It has been tough going for progressives, but Kasey O’Brien, Deb Mayo and Virginia Purcell are ensuring left-leaning politicians have staying power. Middle Seat Consulting raised over $100 million over the past year to help progressive candidates and organizations, including $2 million for Justice Democrats, and is driving innovation in data-driven email campaigns. They helped Sarah McBride become the first transgender representative in Congress, contributed to Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez’s reelection victory while supporting her Courage to Change PAC, and raised $28 million for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who narrowly lost in Pennsylvania. Key employees include Ana Kevorkian, Angelica Moody, Halle Gordon and Sara Paulsen.
Key clients: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress; Courage to Change PAC; Justice Democrats; Squad Victory Fund; Community Change; Greenpeace; Human Rights Campaign; IATSE; La Brega y Fuerza; Lead Locally; Leaders We Deserve; March for Our Lives; Women’s March
47. Brian Grandelli & Jessie Kay
Dynamic SRG helps Democratic candidates stuff their coffers in order to compete for increasingly expensive state and federal campaigns. The firm, led by Darren Rigger and Walter Swett, worked with Democrats on protecting their majority in the state Senate by boosting candidates including state Sens. Gustavo Rivera, Toby Ann Stavisky and Chris Ryan, who won a tossup seat in the Syracuse suburbs with the help of staffer Brian Grandelli (although Democrats did lose one seat). Jessie Kay, a former Rep. Carolyn Maloney alum, recently joined the firm and has been fundraising for New York City Council Member Keith Powers’ Manhattan borough president campaign. Lisa Amor is another key employee of the firm.
Key clients: Greg Meeks and Joe Morelle for Congress; Build America PAC; Queens County Democratic Party: Bronx County Democratic Party; Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Joseph Addabbo Jr., Gustavo Rivera, Toby Ann Stavisky, Iwen Chu and Chris Ryan for state Senate; Stewart-Cousins’ ASC PAC; David Weprin and Stacey Pheffer Amato for Assembly
48. Matthew Shelter
After doing political consulting in the Boston area for nearly three decades, Matthew Shelter co-founded his own firm, Beacon Research, in 2019. Since then, he has conducted polling that helped 28 Democratic Assembly candidates in New York outperform Kamala Harris and keep New York’s supermajority while also conducting multiple polls of Black, Latino and Asian voters in the state to understand voter sentiment. Shelter has also worked with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and the UJA-Federation of New York. Shelter’s business partner, Chris Anderson, contributes to Fox News’ polling team.
Key clients: Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee; Harry Bronson, Didi Barrett, Phil Steck, Al Stirpe, Jen Lunsford, Carrie Woerner, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Monica Wallace, Gina Sillitti, Judy Griffin, Rebecca Kassay, Chris McCreight, Karen McMahon, Chloe Pierce, Patrick Carroll and Matthew Mobilia for Assembly; Adam Bello for Monroe County executive; UJA-Federation of New York
49. Jason Laidley
After working with state Sen. Jamaal Bailey and running his campaigns for multiple cycles, Jason Laidley founded London House in February 2022, where has consulted for organizations in the Bronx and beyond. He’s still close to Bailey – and won a sizable contract with the Bronx Democratic Party, which Bailey runs, to promote the party and candidates for Civil Court judgeships. Laidley has also helped an array of nonprofit clients, including the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Community Foundation, StudentsFirst, and Road to Success, secure government funding and pass legislative priorities. Other key employees at London House are Ariana Collado and Aicha Bamba.
Key clients: Bronx Democratic Party; American Heart Association; Charter Communications; Citizens Committee for New York City; East Side House Settlement; GrubHub; Literacy Partners; New Settlement Community Center; New York Botanical Garden; New York Common Pantry; Queens Future; Renaissance Youth Center; Road to Success; StudentsFirst; The Bronx Community Foundation; Tiebreaker; Total Wine & More
50. Anne Lewis
Since Anne Lewis founded her own firm in 2007, she has helped her nonprofit clients and political candidates raise a whopping $3 billion. Lewis rebranded her Washington, D.C.-based firm as MissionWired in 2021, but her mission is unchanged. She helped U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Raphael Warnock of Georgia fund their reelection campaigns. Lewis, whose firm was a top 10 vendor on federal campaigns in the 2024 cycle, also has consulted for state Attorney General Letitia James, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Service Organization, Save the Children and Sandy Hook Promise.
Key clients: Harris Victory Fund PAC; Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate; Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
51. Chelsea Peterson Thompson
NGP VAN is a technology and software provider that’s widely utilized by Democratic candidates and champions of progressive causes, offering a platform for fundraising, organizing, websites and more. At the helm is veteran executive Chelsea Peterson Thompson, a South Dakota native who’s been at the company for over a decade and has spent nearly three years as its general manager. The Washington, D.C.-based firm has had clients in U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Reps. Hakeem Jeffries and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, among many other high-profile Democratic lawmakers.
Key clients: Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate; Hakeem Jeffries, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Josh Riley for Congress; Democratic National Committee; Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; Common Sense New York PAC
52. Stephanie Berger
Stephanie Berger may well be as responsible for putting a generation of Democrats into power as any other New Yorker. The fundraising juggernaut, who co-founded her firm Berger Hirschberg Strategies over two decades ago, has helped enough state lawmakers fill their coffers to form her own supermajority in Albany. This past year she worked with Rep. Tom Suozzi, raising enough money to fuel his return to Congress, and a plethora of influential state legislators, including state Sens. Michael Gianaris, Samra Brouk, Andrew Gounardes, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Michelle Hinchey and Sean Ryan.
Key clients: Tom Suozzi for Congress; Michael Gianaris, Samra Brouk, Andrew Gounardes, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Michelle Hinchey, Sean Ryan, Lea Webb, April Baskin, Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, Taylor Darling, Alvin Gamble and Sarah Anker for state Senate; Didi Barrett and Tony Simone for Assembly; New Yorkers for Equal Rights; Melinda Katz for Queens district attorney
53. Teddy Goff
After serving in key roles on former President Barack Obama’s bids for the White House – as director of new media in battleground states in 2008 and as digital director in 2012 – Teddy Goff teamed up with other Obama alums to launch Precision Strategies. The data-driven strategy and communications firm, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., did significant campaign consulting work for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in 2024. In New York, where Goff resides, the firm was a consultant for Assembly Member Nader Sayegh, who won reelection in November.
Key clients: Kamala Harris for president; Nader Sayegh for Assembly; Adeel Mirza for Westchester County district attorney
54. Declan Hahn & Jason Fishkin
The Democratic fundraising firm FH strategies is making its mark on New York, most recently by helping Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen take back Long Island congressional seats that had turned red. Co-founders Declan Hahn and Jason Fishkin have ties to New York, as Hahn resides in Brooklyn and the Washington, D.C.-based Fishkin previously led fundraising for Suozzi’s gubernatorial bid. Other key clients include Reps. Dan Goldman and Paul Tonko and the federal Resist Reclaim Rebuild PAC, which backed Rep. Ritchie Torres and other Democrats around the country, as well as various state legislative candidates. The firm also supports New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams’ fundraising.
Key clients: Tom Suozzi, Laura Gillen, Dan Goldman, Paul Tonko and Sarah Klee Hood for Congress; Brian Kavanagh for state Senate; Brian Cunningham, Grace Lee, Steven Raga and Eli Northrup for Assembly
55. David Mansur, Matthew Bitz & Anthony Mendieta-Zamora
David Mansur’s Culver Place Strategies is a fixture in New York politics, providing the fundraising muscle behind a generation of Democratic leaders, perhaps most notably state Attorney General Letitia James. This past cycle they helped a handful of state lawmakers win reelection, including Assembly Members Stefani Zinerman and Alex Bores and state Sens. James Skoufis and Luis Sepúlveda. Their 2025 slate is already full, as Mark Levine mounts a city comptroller bid, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson contends with a primary challenge and Ken Jenkins aims to be the next Westchester County executive. On the staffing front, Anthony Mendieta-Zamora was recently promoted to vice president of operations.
Key clients: James Skoufis and Taylor Darling for state Senate; Jeffrey Dinowitz and Stefani Zinerman for Assembly; Susan Cacace for Westchester County district attorney; Lynn Schulman and Selvena Brooks-Powers for New York City Council; Latino Victory Fund; Brooklyn Democratic Party; Eleanor’s Legacy
56. Evan Roth Smith, Sam Haass & Alyssa Cass
Since co-founding Slingshot Strategies in 2017, Sam Haass has catapulted his firm into the upper tier of Democratic political consultants. In 2021 the team added Alyssa Cass, who’s also chief strategist for Blueprint 2024, a public opinion and research effort that supported Democrats last year. Slingshot also teamed up with New Yorkers for Equal Rights, which promoted the passage of Proposal 1. Now they’re guiding former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer’s comeback bid for mayor and could help him break out from a crowded primary field.
Key clients: Pat Ryan and Zak Malamed for Congress; New Yorkers for Equal Rights; Open New York and Open Plans
57. Jennifer Galvin
It’s hard to get anywhere in politics these days without raising enormous sums of cash, and Jennifer Galvin has proven herself invaluable to Democrats on the rise. The fundraising consultant, who founded JLG Strategy five years ago, advised Rep. Dan Goldman’s reelection campaign in 2024 as well as the Vote Mama PAC, which backs Democratic candidates who are mothers, and the PAC for America’s Future. Galvin is currently working on New York City Comptroller Brad Lander’s mayoral campaign and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s reelection bid in 2025.
Key clients: Dan Goldman for Congress; Vote Mama PAC; The PAC for America’s Future
58. David Previte
David Previte helped state Senate Republicans as counsel for six years before joining Hinman Straub in 2019. Although Republicans no longer control the chamber, Previte has advised candidates on compliance with state campaign finance laws and forming political action committees. He also served on the New York State Public Campaign Finance Reform Commission, which crafted rules governing how people run for office. The Albany firm is led by Sean Doolan, and other key employees include Estibaliz Alonso, Benjamin Bodner, James Carr, Katy Coleman, Carla Downie, Heather Evans, Lev Ginsburg, Jonathan Graves, Caron O’Brien Crummey, Matthew Leonardo, Philip Manuli, Julie Marlette, Matthew O’Connor, Jennifer Sacco, Wendy Saunders, Janet Silver and Brittany Vogel.
Key clients: Council of School Supervisors and Administrators Local Political Action Committee; Northeast Dairy Producers Association PAC; Jack Martins, Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Steve Rhoads and Alvin Gamble for state Senate
59. David Schwartz & Denny Salas
David Schwartz and Denny Salas just launched a polling and analytics division to provide data-informed analysis for nonprofit, corporate and political clients. A notable client is NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, which has stymied City Hall’s attempts to move city retirees on to privately managed health insurance plans. One Gotham poll found people under 50 are less likely to register with major political parties in New York, meaning primaries will increasingly be decided by older voters. Key employees include Jacquie Téllez, Zyan Espinal, Rewan Elgaramouni, Imran Ansari, Corey Pegues and Arthur L. Aidala, who also runs his own law firm.
Key clients: Red Apple Group; AARP New York; NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees; Andromeda Advantage; Smile New York Outreach; HydroHeat LLC
60. Jackie Brot Weinberg
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries didn’t secure a majority in November, but he notched some big wins and shrunk the Republicans’ lead to a historically narrow margin. A key component of his efforts was fundraising – and Jeffries had the foresight to rely on Jackie Brot Weinberg, a New York fundraiser who had bolstered Nancy Pelosi’s formidable operation and connected Jeffries to donors. JBW fundraised directly for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and other Democratic candidates as well as the Empire State Victory Fund, which partnered with Jeffries and the New York State Democratic Committee.
Key clients: Hakeem Jeffries for Congress; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; Empire State Victory Fund; Everytown Victory Fund
61. Amy Strathdee
When she served as speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi earned a reputation as a formidable fundraiser – so when Rep. Hakeem Jeffries succeeded her as Democratic leader, he brought on several of Pelosi’s fundraisers to keep the cash flowing. One of them is The Strathdee Group, led by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee veteran Amy Strathdee. The Washington, D.C., firm was paid nearly a quarter million dollars for fundraising work by Jeffries’ campaign alone in 2024.
Key clients: Hakeem Jeffries for Congress; House Majority PAC; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
62. Celinda Lake
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may have a reputation as a party outsider, but she has long relied on at least one establishment consultant in Celinda Lake. Lake, whose Washington, D.C.-based Lake Research Partners has worked with the Democratic National Committee and President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, has done polling for Ocasio-Cortez ever since her first run for office. Lake’s firm also worked for Assembly candidate Darci Cramer this past cycle.
Key clients: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress; Democratic National Committee; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; Darci Cramer for Assembly
63. Vincent Casale & Lynn Casale
Vincent and Lynn Casale formed The Casale Group in 2007 and have since ushered a generation of Republicans into power across the state. This past year they helped state Sen. Rob Rolison get reelected in a battleground district and worked with Catskill Assembly Member Chris Tague to outperform other politicians on the same ballot. The firm is known for its succinct TV and radio ads, and has also consulted with county Republican parties and guided candidates through the state’s public campaign finance system. Vince Casale last year published a children’s book, “The Campaign Kid,” to inspire the next generation of political leaders.
Key clients: Josh Eisen for U.S. Senate; Wake Up New York PAC; Rob Rolison and Peter Oberacker for state Senate; Chris Tague and Jeff Madden for Assembly; Martin Babinec’s Unite NY; Otsego County Republican Party; Schoharie County Republican Party
64. Michael Giaccio
The low-profile fundraising outfit Bedford Grove has a big-name client in Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Michael Giaccio founded the firm nearly 15 years ago after doing fundraising work for Govs. Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson. In the 2024 cycle, the Democratic firm assisted two candidates who won competitive primaries for open legislative seats: Siela Bynoe, who filled Kevin Thomas’ state Senate seat, and Larinda Hooks, who won the Assembly seat long held by Jeffrion Aubry, who retired at the end of 2024. Another client is Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who was rumored to have considered a bid for city comptroller before seeking reelection instead.
Key clients: Speaker Heastie PAC; Carl Heastie for Assembly; Siela Bynoe for state Senate; Larinda Hooks for Assembly
65. Gabby Seay
Gabby Seay knew the outcome of New York’s congressional races could determine who controls Congress. So Seay, who founded her firm in 2017, provided the strategic knowhow behind Battleground New York, a coalition of unions and progressive organizations that became the largest field organizing campaign in state history. The effort ultimately flipped four Republican congressional districts in the state. Seay, an 1199SEIU alum, also worked with Harris for President, All Voting is Local, Community Change and Community Voices Heard.
Key clients: Kamala Harris for president; Emily’s List; MoveOn Political Action; Battleground New York; Community Change; All Voting is Local; Community Voices Heard
66. Eric Koch
Eric Koch wasn’t afraid to work in some of the most challenging congressional races in the country. His firm Downfield worked in 13 front-line races across nine states and almost pushed Democrat John Avlon over the line in an uphill battle against Republican Rep. Nick LaLota in Suffolk County. Koch also assisted Blue Dog PAC in its efforts to win seats in deep-red districts and helped flip four congressional seats in the state into Democratic control with the Battleground New York coalition.
Key clients: John Avlon for Congress; Blue Dog PAC; Battleground New York; American Federation of Musicians; Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
67. Monica Klein
Monica Klein learned sharp-elbowed politics on the campaign trail with former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2016 and in several roles in City Hall before launching her own firm Seneca Strategies in 2018. Since then, Klein has guided the next generation of New York’s leaders into higher office and is currently counseling state Sen. Zellnor Myrie’s New York City mayoral campaign. In addition, Seneca Strategies helped Housing Justice for All run its campaign for “good cause” evictions and advised New Yorkers United for Child Care’s advocacy efforts to make child care more affordable.
Key clients: Fiscal Policy Institute; New Yorkers United for Child Care; Housing Justice for All; Raise Up NY; New York Caring Majority
68. Scott Levenson, Sebastian Levenson & Ademi Levenson
Veteran consultant Scott Levenson of TAG – formerly The Advance Group – has been working on campaigns to protect rent-stabilized tenants from sharp rent hikes, working with labor unions toward pay equity and supporting community-based actions. On the political front, TAG helped state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton raise enough money to obtain the maximum amount of matching funds and get reelected in 2024. New York City Council Member Kamillah Hanks was also a client during the 2023 cycle. In addition to Levenson and his son, Sebastian Levenson, key employees include Ademi Levenson, Sharnika Power and Drew Sterman.
Key clients: Jessica Scarcella-Spanton for state Senate; Kamillah Hanks for New York City Council; ALIGN NY; Climate Organizing Hub; Communications Workers of America Local 1180; Hotel and Gaming Trades Council; New York Communities for Change; Freelancers Union; Working Families Party
69. Barbara Abar
Canal Partners Media is a major media-buying agency, having worked on every presidential race for several decades, with Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory one of its biggest feats in recent years. The Atlanta, Georgia-based firm, created by the merger of Abar Hutton Media and LUC Media in 2013, was among the top campaign vendors nationally in 2024, raking in nearly $63 million, according to an analysis of FEC filings by the election watchdog Open Secrets. In New York, the firm worked with Reps. Tom Suozzi, John Mannion and Tim Kennedy over the past year.
Key clients: Tom Suozzi, John Mannion and Tim Kennedy for Congress; New Yorkers Together, a CWA District 1 independent expenditure committee
70. Mike Adam & Adam Wise
Adam Wise joined National Media in 2013 and became its chief innovation officer a year ago. Mike Adam came aboard as a vice president in 2021 after a stint as deputy chief data officer of the Republican National Committee. Together they’ve helped dozens of Republicans win tough races in purple districts. This past year, the Virginia-based political media buying outfit made an $8 million media buy in New York races, which powered Rep. Nick LaLota of Long Island and Brooklyn state Sen. Steve Chan to head-turning victories. The firm is also the first political consultancy to use blockchain technology to onboard with cable providers.
Key clients: Nick LaLota for Congress; National Republican Congressional Committee; Steve Chan, Nick Paro and Yiatin Chu for state Senate
71. Catherine Herrick
Buying Time bills itself as “one of the top … paid media strategy, planning and buying shops” in Washington, D.C. – and its revenues back that up, as it raked in over $45 million in 2024, according to a tally by Open Secrets. In 2024, the firm did major media buys for a number of Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, including Rep. Pat Ryan, who won a closely watched battleground race in New York. The Ryan campaign paid Buying Time over $3.5 million this past cycle.
Key clients: Pat Ryan for Congress; Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
72. Julia Ager
Sapphire Strategies was founded by Julie Ager, who previously drove online fundraising as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s chief digital officer. She continues to support Democratic congressional campaigns and candidates, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader who narrowed the Republicans’ lead this year and will be aiming to flip control of Congress in 2026. This past cycle, Jeffries paid $3.45 million to the Washington, D.C.-based firm for digital consulting and acquisition.
Key clients: Hakeem Jeffries for Congress; House Majority PAC; PAC to the Future
73. Amy Niles Gonzalez
Amy Niles Gonzalez has been recognized as an innovator in her field for integrating campaign data and modeling with strategic messaging in digital ads. Her Virginia-based firm helped shape Josh Riley and Laura Gillen’s successful runs for Congress while also consulting with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and House Majority PAC. Gonzalez is currently developing digital and mobile ads for former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer’s campaign against Mayor Eric Adams in a crowded primary that’s the race to watch in 2025.
Key clients: Josh Riley and Laura Gillen for Congress; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; House Majority PAC
74. Kyle Ishmael & Raziq Seabrook
Kyle Ishmael and Raziq Seabrook have been cultivating New York City’s next generation of leaders in Harlem and beyond since they founded Back Chamber Consulting in 2022. The pair helped Yusef Salaam, who was wrongly convicted in the Central Park jogger case, run a transformative campaign for New York City Council last year – which led to Salaam’s speech at the Democratic National Convention. The duo also helped Jordan Wright win the Democratic primary and ultimately claim the Harlem Assembly seat that his father, Manhattan Democratic Party Chair Keith Wright, once held.
Key clients: Jordan Wright and Khaleel Anderson for Assembly; New York County Democratic Committee; Yusef Salaam for New York City Council
75. Michael Skelly
A decade ago, Michael Skelly formed Skelly Strategic Solutions to provide strategic communications and government affairs services to help clients with their issue advocacy campaigns – in New York, Florida and now in New Jersey, too. Skelly has cornered the market on law enforcement unions, and most recently worked with the New York City Corrections Officers’ Benevolent Association in their fight for a labor contract with the city and is currently helping the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association end a wage disparity affecting 1,200 members. He has also worked with the New York City Deputy Sheriffs’ Benevolent Association and court officers for New York State and corrections officers in Nassau County.
Key clients: New York City Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association; NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association; New York City Deputy Sheriffs’ Benevolent Association; Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees; Subway-Surface Supervisors Association; New York State Supreme Court Officers Association; Nassau County COBA
76. Terrance Green
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado knows how to win tough races, having done so twice as a congressional candidate – and after hitting the campaign trail on behalf of Democratic congressional candidates last year, rumors are circulating that he could mount a challenge against his current boss, Gov. Kathy Hochul. If he does, Delgado would likely rely on 4C Partners, a political consulting, advertising and fundraising firm that he has utilized in his past campaigns. A key staffer at 4C Partners is Terrance Green, who has spent nearly a decade at the Washington, D.C., firm, following a long stint at GMMB.
Key clients: Antonio Delgado for lieutenant governor; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
77. Taryn Rosenkranz, Lauren Dikis & Tess Troha Thompson
New Blue Interactive has become one of the go-to Washington, D.C.-based firms giving Democrats an edge in their digital fundraising operations. The women-owned firm, led by Taryn Rosenkranz, in 2024 had its highest win ratio on election night in the dozen years it has been in business. New Blue contributed to Rep. Tom Suozzi’s special election victory last February as well as the reelection of Reps. Paul Tonko, Joe Morelle and Jerry Nadler, all New York Democrats. Other key employees include Lauren Dikis, Tess Troha Thompson, Arielle Einstein and Abby Kuranz.
Key clients: Tom Suozzi, Jerry Nadler, Paul Tonko, Joe Morelle and Liz Whitmer Gereghty for Congress; 1199SEIU New York State Political Action Fund
78. Jonathan Davis & Nolan Wanecke
When New York magazine published its list of “The Most Powerful New Yorkers You’ve Never Heard Of,” it included at least one who prefers to remain anonymous: Jonathan Davis, a top oppo researcher in New York politics. Davis’ Northside Research, which he runs with Nolan Wanecke, divulges little about its efforts to dig up dirt on opponents (and also declined to submit a photo for this list). Public filings, however, show the firm conducted research on behalf of New Yorkers for Equal Rights, the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee and the Working Families Party, while Davis also provided research and consulting services for George Latimer’s congressional bid on his own.
Key clients: Welcome PAC; DMFI PAC; Mainstream Democrats PAC; Working Families Party; New Yorkers For a Balanced Albany; Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee; New Yorkers for Equal Rights
79. Edward Chapman
Oppo researchers keep a low profile, and Edward Chapman at Spiros Consulting is no exception. The Washington, D.C.-based researcher operates behind the scenes, but he’s a major player backing Democratic candidates nationwide. In New York, he counted among his clients Rep. Pat Ryan and fellow congressional candidates John Mannion and Josh Riley, who flipped key battleground seats, plus comeback hopeful Mondaire Jones, who lost. Spiros Consulting also worked for some state Senate Democratic candidates this past cycle and has done research for Brad Lander’s mayoral campaign this year.
Key clients: Joe Morelle, Pat Ryan, Josh Riley, John Mannion and Mondaire Jones for Congress; Lea Webb, Monica Martinez, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Iwen Chu, Patricia Fahy, Chris Ryan, Yvette Valdés Smith and Sarah Anker for state Senate
80. Kimberly Peeler-Allen
After co-founding Higher Heights for America PAC in 2011 to get more Black women elected to higher office, Kimberley Peeler-Allen launched her own consulting firm in 2019 to provide a full array of campaign consulting services. This past cycle, she supported female leaders of advocacy organizations seeking to preserve democracy. She also has been advising state Attorney General Letitia James – who’s been eyed as a potential candidate for New York City mayor and once mounted a brief campaign for New York governor – as well as advocacy organizations including The League and the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.
Key clients: Yvette Clarke for Congress; Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University; The League
81. Larry Scott Blackmon
Larry Scott Blackmon has devoted all his attention to his consulting firm since he stepped down as vice president of public affairs at the online grocery delivery behemoth FreshDirect. Blackmon’s government relations and community engagement firm provides an array of services that forge connections between companies and the local community and stakeholders. Blackmon has also held key roles in city government, on various campaigns and in the corporate sector. In the past year, his growing firm helped secure the site of a former Rite Aid location in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, and convert it into a new community center in partnership with Life of Hope.
Key clients: Life of Hope; The Hip Hop Museum; ReThink Education; Ruff Ryders to the Rescue Foundation; Grassroots Grocery; Destination Tomorrow
Editor’s note: Larry Scott Blackmon is a member of City & State’s advisory board.
82. John Balduzzi
For nearly 15 years, Western New York Democrats have traveled to the little town of Victor to get John Balduzzi to help them run their direct mail operations, create effective digital messaging and put compelling TV advertisements on the air to win over voters. In recent years, Balduzzi has advised Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, helped Adam Bello win and then get reelected Monroe County executive and worked with state Sen. Samra Brouk of Rochester on her successful campaigns. Balduzzi, who also has an office in Washington, D.C., has also consulted with the New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.
Key clients: Samra Brouk and Scott Comegys for state Senate; New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee; Adam Bello for Monroe County executive
83. Mauranda Evans
Two of the biggest Democratic congressional victories in New York this past cycle were in the 18th Congressional District, where first-term Rep. Pat Ryan won reelection, and the 19th District, where Josh Riley defeated Marc Molinaro. A key player for both of these Hudson Valley campaigns was Mauranda Evans, who provided communications and social media support. Evans, who is listed in filings under her maiden name, Mauranda Simmons, also assisted U.S. Senate candidate Roland Gutierrez of Texas, the Stop Gun Violence PAC and the pro-democracy PAC Defend the Vote.
Key clients: Pat Ryan and Josh Riley for Congress
84. Yuridia Peña
After stints with Marathon Strategies, the New York City Department of Education and 32BJ SEIU, Yuridia Peña started her own firm, Alta Consulting, in 2020. She has since pitched in to shape Rep. George Latimer’s media and messaging strategy for his bid for Congress. She has also promoted the benefits of the Adult Survivors Act and the Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, one of few tools plaintiffs have to file older sex abuse claims. In addition, Peña works with the Bard Prison Initiative and Rehabilitation Through the Arts, which provide educational access to incarcerated individuals.
Key clients: George Latimer for Congress; Levy Konigsberg LLP; Bard Prison Initiative; Rehabilitation Through the Arts
85. Jackie Mishler
Jackie Mishler has established herself as a go-to fundraiser in Westchester County. She helped Assembly Members Dana Levenberg and Nader Sayegh win reelection last year, assisted Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard’s reelection in 2023, and has worked for Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, who succeeded now-Rep. George Latimer. She had earlier stints with the Democratic National Committee, on Kirsten Gillibrand’s congressional campaign and with Andrew Cuomo’s state attorney general bid. She’s also a communications staffer for Assembly Member Chris Burdick, who’s on her campaign client roster too.
Key clients: Chris Burdick, Nader Sayegh and Dana Levenberg for Assembly; William Wagstaff for Westchester County district attorney; Shawyn Patterson-Howard for Mount Vernon mayor
86. April Cardena & Gregory Kirsopp
As a Mexican American political consultant who advises Republicans, April Cardena is on the front lines as the GOP makes major inroads in New York City’s outer boroughs. Cardena managed the campaign of New York City Council Member Kristy Marmorato, the first Republican to win a Bronx council seat in decades. Cardena, who’s now Marmorato’s chief of staff, and Gregory Kirsopp, a Greater New York Chamber of Commerce veteran who’s now a staffer for Assembly Member Michael Novakhov, have run Premier Strategies since 2017. The firm notched another big win in November, helping Novakhov win reelection by just a few hundred votes.
Key clients: Simcha Felder for state Senate; Michael Novakhov for Assembly; Kristy Marmorato and Ying Tan for New York City Council
87. Chapin Fay
Chapin Fay has given outer borough Republicans the edge they need to win office in longtime Democratic districts. In 2023, Fay helped Throggs Neck’s Kristy Marmorato win a nailbiter to become the first Bronx Republican elected to the New York City Council in decades. Now running his own shop, the former Mercury and Actum staffer also worked with former Assembly Member John McGowan and Westchester County district attorney candidate John Sarcone, and he is guiding Maud Maron’s challenge of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Fay is also a co-chair of the regional branch of the American Association of Political Consultants.
Key clients: Kristy Marmorato for New York City Council; John McGowan for Assembly; John Sarcone for Westchester County district attorney
88. Marc Zdanow, Jerry Skurnik & Stu Osnow
Marc Zdanow, Jerry Skurnik and Stu Osnow deliver incisive analyses of voter trends, helping state Sen. Peter Harckham and Assembly Member Ron Kim win reelection and advising Emerita Torres in her successful bid to win a Bronx Assembly seat. Their advanced voter analytics – now updated in real time – help candidates craft messages that target persuadable voters. They also launched a video podcast for their clients and served a number of congressional candidates around the country. Another key employee at the firm is Yasmine Reyes.
Key clients: Pete Harckham and Simcha Felder for state Senate; Harvey Epstein, Ron Kim, Grace Lee, Emerita Torres, Tom Abinanti and Hiram Monserrate for Assembly; Harold Bahr for Civil Court judge; Brooklyn Democratic Party; William Wagstaff for Westchester County district attorney
89. Michael Nieves
These days, Michael Nieves is best known as the president and CEO of HITN, or the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, a Spanish-language media company with an audience of more than 44 million. But the former government official has kept a hand in the political arena, serving as a freelance consultant assisting candidates who seek elected office – with a special expertise for judicial races. Nieves also advised Juan Ardila in his failed bid to hold on to his Assembly seat in Queens.
Key clients: Juan Ardila and Ricardo Pacheco for Assembly; Charles Castro for New York City Council; Wendy Li for Surrogate’s Court judge; Julie Milner for Civil Court judge
Editor’s note: Michael Nieves is a member of City & State’s advisory board.
90. Austin & Jenn Shafran
Austin and Jenn Shafran aren’t just a power couple – they’re the owners of Green Book Strategies, a literal mom-and-pop shop in New York’s political consulting world. Austin, who once ran for New York City Council, brings a wealth of experience as a staffer in city, state and federal government roles and as a labor operative. Jenn advised New York City Mayor Eric Adams as his director of external affairs and communications back when he served as Brooklyn borough president, among other governmental and lobbying roles. Among the clients they’ve worked with in the past are the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and 32BJ SEIU.
91. Vickie Segar
Village Marketing describes itself as a “performance-driven influencer shop, fueled by creativity and powered by relationships.” The firm, which was founded by New York City-based Vickie Segar in 2013, helped generate buzz around Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign when she abruptly replaced Joe Biden at the top of the ticket. Segar’s company took in nearly $4 million from the Harris campaign and also did work for the Democratic National Committee.
Key clients: Kamala Harris for President, Democratic National Committee
92. Sivan Jacobovitz & Daniel Murphy
In 2024, Van Ness Creative Strategies’ Sivan Jacobovitz and Daniel Murphy served as the top digital agency for SEIU’s campaign work across the country. The Brooklyn digital and creative firm’s online media efforts helped boost turnout in four swing states, enabling Democrats retain four U.S. Senate seats and win two key House seats. The team also launched a Spanish-language vertical, estudio VNCS, that produced Latino-focused ads for Democrats and coordinated an independent expenditure effort for Laura Gillen, who won her rematch against then-Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. Other key employees include Eli Susser, Abby Loisel and Justice Eiden. Van Ness is also helping state Sen. Zellnor Myrie’s New York City mayoral campaign this year.
Key clients: Laura Gillen for Congress (independent expenditure); Micah Lasher for Assembly; New Yorkers For Equal Rights; SEIU COPE; Care in Action PAC; Equality PAC (Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus); National Domestic Workers Alliance; NRDC Action Fund; Only One; Blueprint
93. Bradley Honan & Elisabeth Zeche
Bradley Honan and Elisabeth Zeche have perfected the art of polling and voter targeting for candidates seeking a more accurate read on the electorate than public opinion polls. This past election cycle, the duo surveyed Jewish voters throughout six congressional races in New York and Pennsylvania, noting that “shy” Jewish voters were turning against Democrats, and conducted exit polls in several races. Honan Strategy Group has recently expanded into public affairs and is developing AI software to mobilize grassroots advocacy and conduct polling interviews in the future. Honan is also co-president of the New York metro chapter of the American Association of Political Consultants.
Key clients: Julie Won for New York City Council; Alyah Horsford-Sidberry for State Committee; Nassau County Democratic Party; Teach Coalition; Orthodox Union; Asian Americans for Better America; Total Wine; College Board; Long Island Power Authority; The Moderates
94. Jonathan Yedin
After a stint working for then-Rep. Michael McMahon and The Advance Group, Jonathan Yedin launched his own consulting firm in 2016 to put more Democrats in office in swingy areas like his native southern Brooklyn. He helped Democrat Justin Brannan hold on to his New York City Council seat in rapidly changing Bay Ridge. As Brannan continues his career in a bid for city comptroller, he’s already leaning on Yedin for strategic advice and other campaign services. However, Yedin wasn’t able to get Assembly candidate and Brannan ally Chris McCreight into the victory column in November.
Key clients: Kim Keiserman for state Senate; Landon Dais and Chris McCreight for Assembly; Moving New York Families Forward independent expenditure committee; Justin Brannan for New York City Council
95. Andrey Bystrov, Dan Johnson & Malik Sanders
After assisting Democratic candidates primarily in Southeast Queens and the Rockaways with field operations and ballot access, Andrey Bystrov has expanded Bryant Bystrov’s reach across the state – and into services such as graphic design, mail and nonpolitical outreach. He helped Queens Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato increase her narrow margin of victory to 1,500 votes over the same Republican opponent after only winning by 15 votes in 2022 in a district that President-elect Donald Trump won by nearly 15% last year. The firm has also worked with state Sen. James Sanders Jr., Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
Key clients: James Sanders Jr. for state Senate; Stacey Pheffer Amato and Khaleel Anderson for Assembly; Adeel Mirza for Westchester County district attorney; Harold Bahr for Civil Court judge
96. Christopher C. Cianciulli
For over a quarter century, Christopher Cianciulli’s CCC Enterprises has provided printing, digital marketing, consulting, fundraising and direct-mail services to Long Island Republicans. Cianciulli, who also has served as chief of staff for the town of Hempstead, did work this past cycle for state Sen. Jack Martins, who won a competitive race, and Assembly Member Brian Curran, who narrowly lost reelection. The firm also had over $1.4 million in receipts at the federal level, with clients including now-former GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and failed U.S. Senate candidate Mike Sapraicone.
Key clients: Anthony D’Esposito, Mike LiPetri and Mazi Melesa Pilip for Congress; Mike Sapraicone for U.S. Senate; Jack Martins and Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick for state Senate; Jake Blumencranz, Brian Curran and Ed Flood for Assembly; New York Republican State Committee; New York State Senate Republican Campaign Committee; New York Republican Federal Campaign Committee; Nassau County Republican Committee
97. Grace Choi, Dana Ng & Jenny Shin
Grace Choi, Dana Ng and Jenny Shin are part of a new generation of consultants elevating Asian American leaders into higher office as the political power of their communities has grown. Their firm, Karis Consulting Group, mobilized more than 40,000 AAPI voters in Georgia and activated donors to back ASPIRE PAC, the political action committee supporting the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. This cycle they helped Queens Rep. Grace Meng win reelection and Orange County, California, state Sen. Dave Min win one of the most competitive House races in the country.
Key clients: ASPIRE PAC, the political PAC for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus; Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
98. Ryan Girdusky, Stefano Forte & Aiden Buzzetti
Ryan Girdusky, Stefano Forte and Aiden Buzzetti created their education reform group in order to advocate for parental rights and other conservative policies in public schools in the aftermath of widespread pandemic-era restrictions. Their group has sought to wrest control of school boards in five states. In New York, the team helped Daniel Norber become the first Republican elected to the Assembly in Hempstead in a half century. They also helped Brandon Gill win a congressional seat in North Texas and become the youngest Republican in Congress. Forte has worked directly for the campaigns of several New York Republicans, including Norber and New York City Council Member Vickie Paladino.
99. Tanbir Chowdhury
Tanbir Chowdhury sought to mobilize a potential voter juggernaut in New York’s South Asian community when he re-launched They See Blue NY early in 2024. Chowdhury, who worked as a legislative staffer for Queens Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, set up his volunteer-run organization to boost South Asian voter turnout for several House Democratic candidates, including Tom Suozzi, Laura Gillen, John Mannion, Mondaire Jones, and John Avlon, as well as two Assembly seats on Long Island. For 2025, he says the organization will be targeting the race for Nassau County executive.
100. Steve Kramer
At the beginning of 2024, political operative Steve Kramer made headlines for commissioning the creation of a robocall that used AI technology to recreate Joe Biden’s voice. The episode led to a 26-count indictment in New Hampshire and a $6 million fine from the Federal Elections Commission, although Kramer, who was working on Dean Phillips’ presidential campaign, claimed he did it to send a warning about the excesses of the groundbreaking technology. Other key employees at the firm – which specializes in petitioning and ballot access – are Ron Nallos and Denise Johnson.
Key clients: Dean Phillips for president; Tony Herbert for Assembly
Corrections: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated that Slingshot Strategies worked for state Sen. Jessica Ramos' reelection. The firm worked for Ramos on a casino matter, but not for her reelection. An earlier version also incorrectly stated that Trip Yang Strategies worked for Laura Gillen's campaign through the state Democratic Party. The work was done through an independent expenditure.
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