Governor Pat Quinn today announced key campaign staff for his 2014 re-election bid. In addition to the campaign’s Chief Strategist Bill Hyers, the Governor named his Campaign Manager, Senior Advisor, Director of Operations, Deputy Press Secretary and digital and turnout powerhouse firm 270 Strategies. The latest hires join The Mellman Group and Joe Slade White & Company, the Governor’s nationally renowned pollster and political strategy and media firm who also worked on his 2010 campaign.
“I’m proud to have a dedicated and capable team who knows how to work hard and win,” Governor Quinn said. “We will run a strong grassroots campaign built for success in the 21st century.”
The Governor named former Deputy Chief of Staff of Legislative Affairs in the Governor’s Office Lou Bertuca as Campaign Manager. As the campaign’s top ambassador, Bertuca will lead day-to-day campaign operations. Carrie Glenn- a seasoned campaign operative - will serve as Senior Advisor to the campaign, providing critical field leadership, operations support and voter turnout expertise. Bertuca and Glenn will work hand in hand with Hyers, an Illinois native and one of the most highly-sought after campaign leaders in the nation.
In addition, other key staff members named today include: Deputy Director of Operations Sean Floyd, formerly of Bill de Blasio’s successful campaign for mayor of New York City as well as Deputy Press Secretary Izabela Miltko, formerly of SEIU Local 1. Governor Quinn also announced the hiring of 270 Strategies, a digital consulting and marketing firm led by former Obama National Field Director Jeremy Bird. The firm specializes in 21st century grassroots organizing and cutting-edge digital analytics.
More details below:
Bill Hyers - Chief Strategist Hyers most recently managed Bill de Blasio’s successful campaign for mayor of New York City. He also led Governor Steve Beshear’s successful gubernatorial campaign in Kentucky, Mayor Michael Nutter’s successful campaign in Philadelphia and Kirsten Gillibrand’s first race for Congress in 2006. In addition, Hyers managed President Obama’s campaign in Pennsylvania in his 2012 bid for re-election and was Midwest Regional Director for his 2008 campaign.
Lou Bertuca - Campaign Manager Bertuca has worked for Governor Quinn for eight years in a variety of capacities, starting when Quinn was serving as Lieutenant Governor in 2007 and later becoming one of the Governor’s senior advisors. Prior to joining the campaign, Bertuca served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Governor’s Office and Deputy Chief of Staff at the Illinois Tollway Authority.
Carrie Glenn - Senior Advisor Glenn has extensive campaign experience, which includes holding director and senior field positions in four states for President Obama’s 2008 campaign. Glenn most recently oversaw the Montana Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. She will provide critical expertise on field operations, grassroots organizing and voter turnout.
Sean Floyd - Director of Operations Floyd previously worked as the Director of Operations for Bill De Blasio’s successful mayoral bid in New York City. He also served as the Director of Operations in Pennsylvania for President Obama’s re-election campaign.
Izabela Miltko - Deputy Press Secretary Miltko served as the Media Relations Specialist for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, overseeing press outreach across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin. Her experience also includes working in Senator Dick Durbin’s press office, as well as Statehouse reporting in Springfield.
270 Digital Strategies - Founded by former National Field Director for President Obama’s re-election campaign Jeremy Bird, 270 Strategies is a next-generation consulting firm that specializes in 21st century, cutting-edge digital strategies and data driven ground game. The 270 Strategies team used grassroots organizing to build their 21st century turnout machine on the historic Obama re-election campaign as well as work on the 2008 campaign.
The Mellman Group - The Mellman Group is one of the nation’s top polling firms, providing opinion research and strategic advice to political leaders, public interest organizations, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Clients include some of the nation’ stop political leaders, numerous U.S. Senators, Governors, members of Congress, and state and local officials.
Joe Slade White & Company –Joe Slade White & Company is a Democratic political strategy and media firm, whose clients have included Presidential candidates, U.S. Senators, Governors, members of Congress, and Mayors, including Vice-President Joe Biden and the former Governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm. In 2012, White helped elect the only Democratic woman governor in the country, New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan.
So, the guy who has had serious problems dealing with the General Assembly names his former Deputy Chief of Staff of Legislative Affairs as his campaign manager?
- Formerly Know As... - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 1:36 pm:
Sounds like some decent hires. It’s good to see Quinn get moving on this part of things.
The populist shtick is what he knows and what he is good at. He’ll drive that message hard, especially against Rauner.
He must be careful, however, not to make the mistake of going full-out de Blasio. Illinois may be blue, but it is not NYC.
- dupage dan - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 1:45 pm:
So many people Quinn will have to listen to. So much advice to be accepted. Can Quinn do it?
- Anonz - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
No mention of a political director….ouch
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 1:51 pm:
==So, the guy who has had serious problems dealing with the General Assembly names his former Deputy Chief of Staff of Legislative Affairs as his campaign manager?==
Quinn is just trying to find the right place for him.
- Dirt Diver - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 1:53 pm:
=So, the guy who has had serious problems dealing with the General Assembly names his former Deputy Chief of Staff of Legislative Affairs as his campaign manager?=
I’m assuming it’s just a title and all the actual work will be done by others. Just boosting the resume of one of his closest friend’s son.
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 1:54 pm:
Rauner should take note of the digital strategies kids. Romney didn’t, and didn’t really understand what hit him. And Dillard, in the unlikely event he wins, won’t be able to afford them, because he won’t have any money.
- Meanderthal - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 1:56 pm:
I half expected to see attorneys like Anton Valukas or Tom Sullivan on that list to handle the flood of subpoenas that will likely be coming in related to the violence prevention grant funds.
- Martin - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:00 pm:
Quinn going to be toast because of violence protection grants. The commercials will be great.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:01 pm:
Have they bought a bus ticket for Vallas to return “home” yet?
- Bob Hicks - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:02 pm:
Quinn’s has to have a “yes” man and that is all the responsibility Bertuca will have. Quinn doesn’t trust anybody and he probably should not. Quinn will run his own campaign and lose.
- Sinister - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:20 pm:
Governor Rauner.
- Walker - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:24 pm:
The best overall campaign manager would have to say “no” to the candidate, and make it stick. Quinn won’t have that. Perhaps that person doesn’t exist.
A lot of other really good talent on the list. If they can operate without too much interference, then it could work.
- LittleLebowskiUrbanAchiever - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:33 pm:
For anyone who has worked with the administration, Lou is the guy who gets things done. Lou is one of the people who regularly says no to the Governor… And he actually listens. Great choice. Solid team.
- Sun - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:42 pm:
Back slappin’ Lou
- anonxx - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:44 pm:
It is a mistake to project the Quinn of 30 years ago onto Governor Quinn. He learns and adapts. I would expect a very professional campaign, tight messaging, and whatever edge former Obama campaign staff/media/data gurus can bring to bear. Quinn of 30 years ago would have lost to Brady last time, by a lot. If you, and I mean Rich, continue to view Quinn through the old reformer, Sunday new conference lens, you will miss the boat.
- Upon Further Review - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:45 pm:
Hasn’t Quinn forfeited the “populist” brand by now? His deeds have not measured up to the rhetoric.
I do not see Quinn the Populist selling any longer.
- Truth - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
Anyone who is in the know of state government knows Lou has been the person behind the scenes responsible for the Governor’s accomplishments. Underestimate him just like Quinn and be ready for another Quinn win come November.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
===continue to view Quinn through the old reformer, Sunday new conference lens===
I never went to those press events. And I’m not dumb enough that I can’t see what’s in front of my face.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:51 pm:
Upon Further Review - agreed. Just because Quinn is going to try selling it again does not mean people will be buying it.
Nor does that mean the race will be a runaway, or that the GOP nominee could not self-destruct, or any number of other things during the campaign.
- LincolnLounger - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 2:55 pm:
Imagine trying to organize Quinn, keep him focused, and maintain any sort of campaign discipline.
Good luck.
- Been There - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 3:17 pm:
What’s the old saying? “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me”. Quinn’s not going to shame me. He fooled me the last time. I under estimated him then but anyone saying he is toast is fooling themselves.
- Sinister - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 3:22 pm:
If Quinn barely eeked out a win versus a very conservative Brady, what makes anyone think that Quinn can beat Rauner (granted if he wins the primary). Rauner will have money and more money to spread his message. If Rauner gets 25% of the Cook County vote (Brady got 23%) then it’s toast for Quinn - assuming that Rauner picks up every county that Brady got -all of them.
- downstate hack - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 3:36 pm:
Quinn may be a questionable Governor, but he has proven to be a formidable politician.
- Junior - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 3:37 pm:
Aside from the consultants (270 and Hyers seem legit), there are far more “yes (wo)men” on that list than heavyweights when it comes to staff. The description of his press flak is a little misleading. She most recently worked for DCEO (omitted). The Durbin mention sounds nice, but she was there for a few months and sounds like she was an intern or assistant at best.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/izabela-miltko/16/501/917
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 3:46 pm:
“Rauner will have money”
I just learned that Quinn got an authentic black cat bone from Louisiana, to work some hoodoo.
“then it’s toast for Quinn”
I believe that Quinn could lose this election, certainly–especially with Rauner’s money. I looked at the 2010 election county map, and Quinn won very few counties. I looked at the 2012 presidential election map, and Obama won some counties in northwest Illinois that Quinn didn’t win. Perhaps the Quinn campaign should look at why Obama won those counties and focus some efforts there, to get Obama votes.
- Labordude - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 3:49 pm:
Hey Junior-
Izabela Miltko is a top notch press person with extensive experience running very high level campaigns as part of SEIU. She is a hustler with great press contacts and will do a great job for Quinn. I thought she was the best name on that list. As far as age and experience goes you have to remember that campaigns are always staffed with relatively young folks with short work histories. Grown ups don’t do this kind of work. Campaign hours don’t attract lots of highly experienced, middle aged staff. It just doesn’t work that way.
- Frank - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 4:09 pm:
I agree with those who have defended Bertuca. Absolutely one of the few “go-to” guys in the administration that actually gets things done. He’s extremely loyal to Quinn, and that’s why he’s there. And he is not afraid to tell the Guv things he does not want to hear. Whether Quinn listens to him is a seperate question.
- Robo - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 4:24 pm:
PQ is a good campaigner so I don’t expect this will be an easy victory regardless of who wins the primary.
- Lincoln (b)logger - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 5:07 pm:
Trying to find the link to the core (minority) base in Cook County. It’s not there in these announcements. The support for Tio in the poll screams of a surprising weakness where statewide elections are won.
- DuPage Dave - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 5:13 pm:
I think in most modern campaigns the chief strategist is the guy in charge of the campaign, a job which used to be known as campaign manager. Now the campaign manager title is a much less significant title.
I don’t know any of the people named today, but that’s the sense I’ve gotten from more recent campaigns.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 5:31 pm:
Advantage Rauner
- Just The Way It Is One - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 6:52 pm:
Boy–Lou B. a nice guy, a FENwick guy (THAT connection alone means an arm ‘n a leg to the Quinnster), well-liked by Supporters (albeit a bit on the ULtra-jovial/we’ll say Youthful side at times–1st Position, though, for PQ was as his Chauffeur everywhere!!) and wholly committed to PQ–but, whoa, at age 27 (maybe 28), a “babe in arms” relatively speaking in/for BIG Campaign terms like this Upcoming Monstrosity, and with only a few growthful years of experience out of COLLEGE (!) under his belt to take on such a HUGE role, and virtually NO ACTual sense/depth of/to the “Historical Quinn going WAY back through all his Ups and Downs of each and every one of the MANY Campaigns who Others far more knowledgable/loyal could understand much better in order to aid the Governor, dating back to the mid-70’s/80’s–i.e. basically, he’s just a “Youngin’” as such…!
So…it sure looks like the REAL heat will be on Bill Hyers to do the REAL Heavy lifting in order to pull this thing off for Pat Quinn come November!! And for the next 8 Months, heavy it will be–heavier than ever…! Welcome Back to the long and wily “Land of Lincoln,” Bill…(”Toto, I don’t think is the Big APPLE anymore…!!!”).
- Spliff - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 9:02 pm:
So do Mellman and the rest of these outsiders know just how much of a pain in the butt it is to work with Quinn? Four years ago Quinn ran off possibly the best democratic polling firm in the country (Anzalone Liszt).
- Mighty M. Mouse - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 9:26 pm:
Starting with Rich, many commenters are greatly underestimating the effectiveness of Lou Bertuca (he will be very successful in life, and starting with this campaign!) and the other staffers Quinn has introduced. What few seem to appreciate is that all of these appointees not only have strong qualifications, they also project to be terrific team players. The whole, led by Quinn, will work together very effectively as a team, and will be even stronger as a team than the sum of its parts.
- MLB #45 - Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 10:24 pm:
I agree with LittleLebowskiUrbanAchiever. Bertuca is a smart pick. I’ve been impressed with him and during his time with Quinn he seems to have built significant relationships with Democrats throughout the state. I mean, there’s a decent number more strong/leaning Democrats in the state than strong/leaning Republicans. The thought seems to be that Lou will rally leaders of the blue team throughout the state to get its voters out to beat the red team. The strategy worked last time - albeit barely.
Pairing Bertuca as the day-to-day manager with Hyers as the campaign visionary seems to make sense.