Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of political consulting in a rapidly changing world. From emerging technologies and digital strategies to shifts in voter behavior and campaign compliance, we’ll dive deep into the trends shaping elections of tomorrow. Whether you’re a political strategist, campaign manager, or curious about the future of democracy, this podcast offers insights from top industry experts and thought leaders on what’s next for the world of political consulting.

The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) is a bipartisan membership organization that represents professionals working in the political consulting industry. It provides resources, networking opportunities, and professional development for consultants involved in political campaigns, public affairs, and political communication, while promoting ethical standards and best practices in the field.

Latest Episodes

The Future of Political Influence: Trust as Strategy

Trust is changing, and so is the way influence works.

In a time when voters are questioning institutions, media, and even one another, political consulting is entering a new era. What does persuasion look like when trust is the most valuable currency in public life?

In this episode of The Future of Political Consulting, Matt Klink, Owner and President of Klink Campaigns sits down with Aaron Guiterman, Chairman, US Public Affairs at Edelman to explore the trust trends reshaping public engagement – from polarization and grievance to misinformation and AI – and what they mean for campaigns, institutions, and consultants moving forward.

Drawing on insights from the Edelman Trust Barometer, this conversation looks ahead to a future where rebuilding trust isn’t just a communications challenge, it’s the strategy itself.

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The Independent Electorate That Will Decide 2026 Outcomes

According to recent Gallup data, a record-high 45 percent of U.S. adults now identify as political independents, outpacing both major parties. That means nearly half the electorate isn’t firmly tethered to traditional partisan labels — a trend that could reshape campaigns in 2026 and beyond.

In this episode, Mike Shields, Board Member of the American Association of Political Consultants and founder of Convergence Media is joined by Brett Loyd of Bulfinch Group and the Independent Center to dig into what this massive independent electorate looks like, how they behave, and, most importantly, what it means for campaign strategy — from segmentation and messaging to turnout and analytics.

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What Prediction Markets Can (and Can’t) Tell us About Elections

Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are once again shaping election conversations, alongside growing claims about their accuracy and concerns about their influence.

On The Future of Political Consulting, EMC Research President Ruth Bernstein moderates a conversation with John Phillips, CEO of PredictIt, one of the earliest election-related prediction markets.  They compare prediction markets with traditional polling, explore whether markets measure or shape political narratives, and reflect on lessons from PredictIt’s experience that remain unresolved.

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DMs & Chatbots: Innovations in Digital Organizing

Digital organizing is evolving fast and campaigns that treat DMs like door knocks are already ahead.

On this episode of The Future of Political Consulting, host Taryn Rosenkranz (AAPC Board Member and Founder and CEO of New Blue Interactive) talks with Gabriella “Gabbi” Zutrau (Digital Strategy Advisor, Zohran for NYC and 2025 AAPC Top Ops Award Winner) about how the Zohran Mamdani campaign turned Instagram enthusiasm into real-world organizing power. They break down how chatbots and DM automations can capture leads, fill canvasses, and move supporters from scroll to street, particularly when engagement begins with supporters initiating contact, resulting in stronger follow-through and sustained participation.

More importantly, the conversation looks ahead: what this approach signals about the future of the digital ground game, how campaign engagement is changing, and what political consultants should be doing now to prepare for 2026 and beyond.

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How Campaign Strategy and Advocacy Intersect to Create Emerging Paths Forward

This episode explores how modern advocacy intersects with campaign strategy and what that means for the future of political consulting. Joshua Habursky and Dr. Casey Burgat discuss the evolving tools, technologies, and relationship-driven skills shaping year-round influence work in Washington. A valuable listen for emerging professionals navigating career paths across campaigns, public affairs, and advocacy.

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The New Rules of Texting: Inside the AAPC’s Messaging Code of Ethics

Political texting has exploded into one of the most powerful tools in modern campaigns, but its future depends on trust.  In this episode, Julie Sweet, AAPC’s Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations joins Thomas Peters, Co-Chair of the AAPC Political Messaging Committee and Founder & CEO of RumbleUp, to explore The New Rules of Texting inside AAPC’s Messaging Code of Ethics.  Together, they’ll look at why these standards matter today and how they’ll shape voter contact strategies of tomorrow.  

From curbing bad practices that erode credibility to preparing for emerging challenges like AI-driven personalization, rich media messaging, and looming regulation, we’ll explore how consultants can keep texting a sustainable, ethical and effective channel in the cycles ahead.

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The Future of Direct Mail

In an increasingly digital world, where does Direct Mail go? Shelia Holman, Vice President of Marketing at USPS sits with Danielle Cendjas, a Partner at The Strategy Group, to discuss how consultants can leverage technology and Direct Mail. From Near Field Communications to AR, VR, and Mixed Reality, learn the cutting-edge tools to help campaigns.

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Deepfakes, Disclaimers, and Navigating an Evolving Compliance Landscape

With the growth of generative AI, navigating state laws has become increasingly complex, raising the potential of legal risks for political consultants.

In this episode, Julie Sweet, Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations at AAPC and Jason Torchinsky, Partner at Holtzman Vogel Josefiak Torchinsky PLLC, delve into the complexities of AI and synthetic media in political campaigns. They discuss the new AAPC Deepfake Law Compliance Guide, offering insights into how these evolving technologies impact the future of the political consulting industry and how campaigns can stay protected in an ever-changing landscape.

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Discover Insights Shaping the Future of Political Consulting

Stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of political consulting. This episode delivers highlights from AAPC’s extensive webinar archive, featuring expert perspectives and strategies driving success in today’s campaigns. Each month, AAPC hosts in-depth webinars designed to equip professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive. Now, we’re sharing some of the most impactful insights with you.

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Future-Proofing Your Team in the Age of AI and Automation

Automation, artificial intelligence, and a rapidly evolving digital landscape are no longer on the horizon; they’re here. Is your team equipped to navigate this new reality, or are they at risk of being left behind? In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Wilder-Slaughter, the Executive Vice President of Operations at New Blue Interactive and Daria Grastara, the CEO of Direct Persuasion, as they discuss the critical importance of training and developing your team for the future.

Highlights from Our Insightful Conversations

In this special “summer catch-up” episode, we revisit highlights from previous discussions, exploring the evolving landscape of political consulting. From campaign-influencer collaborations and voter engagement strategies to the impact of ai, this episode offers insights from top industry experts.

This episode features highlights from:

  • From Memes to Movements: Inside the Campaign-Influencer Collaboration
  • The Final Stretch: Finding the Voters Who Will Flip the Script
  • The Future of Political Strategy in the Disinformation Era with Sasha Issenberg
  • AAPC’s NY Chapter Presents: Exploring the Realignment of the American Electorate with Patrick Ruffini
  • Data-Driven Politics with Sara Fagen
  • Women’s Role in Shaping Future Elections with Jennifer Lawless
  • Women’s Role in Shaping Future Elections, Part 2: Voter Perceptions & Political Realities
  • The Future of Media Production with Melanie McGhee
  • Next-Gen Strategy: Inside Political Consulting’s AI Evolution

Next-Gen Strategy: Inside Political Consulting’s AI Evolution

With an abundance of cutting-edge tools available, how exactly are political consultants engaging with generative AI tools? A partnership with the AAPC Foundation, and the bipartisan research team of Normington Petts & 3D Strategic Research, conducted a study to offer quantitative and qualitative insight into the adoption, perception, and strategic use of AI across the political consulting industry. Join Julie Sweet, the AAPC Director of Advocacy & Industry Relations and Blane Wallace, a Senior Associate at Normington Petts,  as they discuss tools being used, what works, what doesn’t, and what to look forward to.  

The Future of Media Production with Melanie McGhee

In an era where attention is fleeting and the competition for voter engagement is fierce, the role of media production in political campaigns has never been more critical. In this episode, we sit down with Melanie McGhee from MeanGreen Media to explore the evolution of political ad production. From automated video editing to hyper-personalized messaging, we’ll discuss the cutting-edge tools redefining campaign media and what’s next in the rapidly evolving landscape of political advertising.

Womens Role in Shaping Future Elections, Part 2: Voter Perceptions & Political Realities

Women candidates have made historic gains in political representation, yet challenges persist. In this episode our guest, Larissa Martinez (Women’s Public Leadership Network) and host, Amanda Iovino (Republican Pollster) examine how gender shapes voter perceptions, campaign strategies, and election outcomes. Our expert guests explore whether voters hold women to different standards, how media portrayal influences public opinion, and how partisan divides affect attitudes toward women in leadership. They’ll also discuss strategies to counter gender bias and how generational shifts are redefining the future of women in politics.

Women’s Role in Shaping Future Elections with Jennifer Lawless

In this episode, we are joined by Jennifer Lawless, a leading authority on gender and politics, to explore the critical role women are playing in reshaping the political consulting landscape. We’ll dive into her research on political ambition, the evolving participation of women in political leadership, and how these changes are impacting campaign strategies. Jennifer brings her wealth of knowledge to discuss the barriers women face in political consulting, the importance of mentorship and representation, and the shifting voter dynamics that consultants must understand to succeed in the future. As gender dynamics continue to influence voter behavior and candidate selection, Jennifer offers a compelling look at what these trends mean for political consultants and strategists.

The Future of Data-Driven Politics with Sara Fagen

In this episode, we talk to Sara Fagen, CEO of Deep Root Analytics and former White House Political Director, to examine how technological advancements are reshaping the political consulting industry. With elections becoming increasingly data-driven, campaigns must adapt quickly to digital disruptions while staying true to strategic fundamentals. Sara talks about her journey through the industry and shares her expert perspective on how consultants can harness data, media, and emerging tech to build winning campaigns in today’s fast-paced political environment.

Exploring the Realignment of the American Electorate with Patrick Ruffini

This episode features Patrick Ruffini, renowned GOP pollster and author of Party of the People: Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP  – a book that the NY Times’ Ezra Klein wrote: “predicted the 2024 Election.”

This episode is hosted by the co-chairs of AAPC’s New York Metro Chapter, Bradley Honan and Chapin Fay. Bradley is CEO & President of Honan Strategy Group, a Democratic polling and data analytics firm and Chapin is a seasoned Republican communications strategist and Founder of Lighthouse Public Affairs. This conversation will delve into the electoral realignments shaping American politics, as reflected in the 2024 election.

Ruffini’s analysis has been at the forefront of understanding the seismic shifts in voter coalitions, including the growing educational divide and the Republican Party’s unexpected gains among Black, Hispanic, and Asian voters. This episode will help listeners understand the dynamics of contemporary politics and the future of partisan coalitions.

The Future of Political Strategy in the Disinformation Era with Sasha Issenberg

In this episode, we welcome journalist and political strategist Sasha Issenberg to discuss his new book The Lie Detectives and how disinformation is transforming modern campaigns. This conversation focuses on the future of political strategy in a world where the traditional rules of engagement are constantly being challenged by misleading digital content. We’ll examine how the fight against misinformation is reshaping political consulting, from the strategies used by digital teams to the ethical considerations campaign managers must navigate. 

This episode will arm political consultants, campaign managers, and strategists with the tools to navigate the challenges of disinformation, while also preparing for the ethical, technological, and strategic dilemmas that lie ahead in political consulting.

The Final Stretch: Finding the Voters Who Will Flip the Script – October 15, 2024

In the final weeks leading up to Election Day, gaining an edge in the race to win comes down to precisely targeting the voters who will make the difference. Join Jackie Huelbig (Basis Technologies) and Paul Westcott (L2) as they explore the science behind creating a data-driven model to reach the universe of voters who are likely to return their ballots and shape the outcome of your race. Drawing on L2’s 50+ years of experience in voter data, Paul also shares how the evolution of voter engagement—from basic targeting to advanced hyper-targeting and AI-driven insights—has changed the game and where things are headed. 

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From Memes to Movements: Inside the Campaign-Influencer Collaboration- September 27, 2024

In this episode, the AAPC brings you a discussion on the intersection of politics and social media influence. Join Kelly Gibson and Ryan Davis and learn the ins and outs of collaborating with social media influencers and how these partnerships are shaping the modern political landscape. From navigating the complexities of online engagement to understanding the impact of influencer partnerships, join us for an exciting episode where we chat with experienced consultants about the fascinating world of influencers in politics!

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