Get to Know Sam Oh, a 2021 40 Under 40 Winner!
SAM OH
Vice President, Targeted Victory
- How did you first get involved in politics? After I graduated from college, I joined a targeted California State Assembly campaign as a Regional Political Director which was a very generous title because I was tasked with going door-to-door, making calls, and stuffing envelopes for 15 hours a day, 7 days a week. My boss, a Republican running in a Democrat seat, narrowly won an expensive, hard-fought race and I saw firsthand how a good candidate, strong message, and talking about real issues can overcome anything. I’ve been hooked ever since.
- Who has been your biggest mentor in this industry? I’ve been really fortunate to have a lot of mentors who have been really instrumental in my career. Duane Dichiara and Jennifer Jacobs taught me the importance of a ground campaign. Chip Englander taught me the importance of a chase program. I learned the importance of campaign organization and structure from Jeff Roe. Dave Gilliard taught me the importance of not over complicating races and staying on message. Former Rep. Mimi Walters gave me the confidence to think outside-the-box. I learned really important lessons from each of them and they each played a huge role in shaping the upset campaigns of Rep. Michelle Steel and Rep. Young Kim in 2020.
- What is the best career advice you’ve ever received? On my first campaign I asked a friend, who had worked on numerous races at that point, what he thought made a good campaigner and he replied “a strong back and a heartbeat” stressing the importance of hard work and determination. He was 100% right.
- What do you wish other people knew about political consulting? We get too much credit for wins and too much blame for losses.
- What is your favorite campaign you have ever been involved in? Reps. Young Kim and Michelle Steel were the first Republicans to defeat incumbent Democrat Congressmembers in California in a general election in 26 years. They’re trailblazers who overcame the odds, and those campaigns will always mean a lot to me.
- How did you recover from your first campaign loss? Haven’t quite gotten over that first loss yet. Still think about that one.
