• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • FIND A CONSULTANT
  • JOB BOARD
  • MEMBER LOGIN
  • RENEW MEMBERSHIP
AAPC
  • Become A Member
  • Code of Ethics
  • Networking
  • Education & Events
  • Recognition & Awards
  • Advocacy
  • AAPC Foundation
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • FIND A CONSULTANT
  • JOB BOARD
  • MEMBER LOGIN
  • Become A Member
  • Code of Ethics
  • Networking
  • Education & Events
  • Recognition & Awards
  • Advocacy
  • AAPC Foundation

MATTHEW REESE

MATTHEW REESE

Mr. Reese was a founder and godfather of the professional political consulting business. During a career that spanned more than three decades, he worked in more than 450 political campaigns in the United States and abroad. Among his candidates were Sens. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.), Russell Long (D-La.), Charles S. Robb (D-Va.) and John Glenn (D-Ohio); House Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill Jr. (D-Mass.); and several governors and local officials.

In 1960, Mr. Reese came to national prominence when he organized the volunteer campaign on behalf of Sen. John F. Kennedy in West Virginia’s Democratic presidential primary. From the basement of the Kanawha Hotel in Charleston, he worked the telephones 18 hours a day with other Kennedy staff members to tap a groundswell of grass-roots support that would eventually capture West Virginia for the Massachusetts senator, a critical step on his road to the White House.

After Kennedy’s election, Mr. Reese ran the voter registration division of the Democratic National Committee.

For the 1964 presidential election, his efforts were said to have added 4 million voters to the registration lists.

In 1966, he left the Democratic National Committee and formed Matt Reese & Associates, which later became Reese Communications Companies Inc.

As an adviser to office-seekers, Mr. Reese was known for a zealous pursuit of two kinds of voters: those who could be persuaded to support his candidate and those who were already favorably disposed but needed prodding to get to the polls on election day.

For more information on Mr. Reese’s life, please visit an article by The Washington Post, or the Encyclopedia of West Virginia.

Connect With Us!

AAPC Featured Jobs

RSS Recent job postings

  • Political Science Faculty Adjunct Pool - Texas Christian University - Fort Worth, TX 05/30/2023
  • Quarterly Adjunct Lecturer - Political Science (Pool ad for 2023-24 Academic Year) - Santa Clara University - Santa Clara, CA 05/30/2023
  • Public Policy Specialist, Energy and Environment - ICF - Remote 05/28/2023
  • Public Policy Specialist, Energy and Environment - ICF - Remote 05/28/2023
  • Public Policy Specialist, Energy and Environment - ICF - Fairfax, VA 05/28/2023
  • Public Policy Specialist, Energy and Environment - ICF - Remote 05/28/2023
  • Public Policy Specialist, Energy and Environment - ICF - Nationwide Remote Office (US99) 05/27/2023
  • Communication Intern, Communication %26 Public Affairs, Janssen China R%26D - Johnson & Johnson - Beijing, China 05/27/2023
  • Consulting Director - Public Policy - ICF - London, United Kingdom 05/25/2023
  • Consulting Director - Public Policy - ICF - London, United Kingdom 05/25/2023

View All Jobs

ABOUT AAPC

  • Mission Statement
  • Board Of Directors
  • Staff
  • Policies
  • Press

CODE OF ETHICS

  • How to File a Complaint

NETWORKING

  • Get Involved
  • Find a Consultant
  • Education & Events

AAPC FOUNDATION

  • Internship Program
  • Scholarship Program

EDUCATION & EVENTS

  • 2023 Annual Pollie Awards & Conference
  • Regional Conferences
  • Webinars
  • Event Photos
  • Sponsor at AAPC

RECOGNITION & AWARDS

  • Pollie Awards
  • 40 Under 40
  • Campaign Excellence Awards
  • Hall of Fame
  • Order a Duplicate Trophy

ADVOCACY

MEMBER CENTER

PRIVACY POLICY

Contact us!

[email protected] or
703-245-8020

American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC)

1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite
1500, McLean, VA 22102

Scroll to top

Your profile has been updated successfully.