Matt Schlapp

Matt Schlapp
Schlapp speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2015.
Chairman of the American Conservative Union
Assumed office
2014
Preceded by Al Cardenas
Director of the Office of Political Affairs
In office
2003–2005
President George W. Bush
Preceded by Ken Mehlman
Succeeded by Sara Taylor[1]
Personal details
Born Matthew Aaron Schlapp
(1967-12-18) December 18, 1967
Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Mercedes (Mercy) Schlapp
Alma mater University of Notre Dame (BA)
Wichita State University (MA)
Website http://www.conservative.org

Matthew Aaron "Matt" Schlapp (born December 18, 1967) is an American political activist and lobbyist who is chairman of the American Conservative Union,[2] the oldest conservative lobbying organization in the country.

Schlapp also serves as principal at the lobbying firm Cove Strategies.[3] Previously he served as vice president of federal affairs at Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC. He also served as George W. Bush’s deputy assistant and political director.[4] He is also a Fox News political contributor.

Early life and education

Schlapp grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and is the son of Susan Schlapp, a Wichita City councilwoman.[5] He started his education at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Wichita KS. He then continued at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, a private school in Wichita from which he graduated in 1986,[6] followed by the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Bachelor's degree and Wichita State University, from which he earned a Master's degree in Public Policy.[4]

Political career

He began his political career in 1994, working five years as a press secretary, campaign manager and chief of staff for Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.). Schlapp joined George W. Bush’s 2000 political campaign, serving as a regional political director with oversight of Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas and Oklahoma.

During his tenure at the White House as George W. Bush’s political director, Schlapp advised the President, the Vice President, members of the cabinet, senior White House staff and had extensive contact with members of Congress and federal agencies.

In 2004 he transitioned to Koch Industries, headquartered in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. While in his role as vice president of federal affairs at Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC, he directed the major federal public policy strategies on anti-environmental and energy policies, financial markets, legal reform, and international and domestic tax issues.

On June 19, 2014 Schlapp was unanimously elected chairman by the board of directors of the American Conservative Union.

In September 2018, Schlapp tweeted a photo of three Democratic Senators, all of whom were people of color, and wrote, "Look at this photo conservative voters in WV, ND, IN, FL, MO, MT, MI, TN, AZ, NV."[7] Critics, including conservative Bill Kristol and Tom Nichols, accused Schlapp of racial dog-whistling, which Schlapp denied.[7]

Personal life

Schlapp married Mercedes (Mercy) Viana Schlapp, whom he met while working at the White House, where she served as the director of specialty media.[8] Together they co-founded Cove Strategies, a communications and political consulting firm based in Alexandria, Virginia. Mercedes Schlapp serves as President Trump's Director of Strategic Communications.

Matt and Mercy have five young daughters[9]. He is a Catholic.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.upi.com/Top-Bush-political-aide-to-depart/72871107279512/
  2. ↑ "Matt Schlapp bio from The American Conservative Union homepage".
  3. ↑ "Meet the Schlapps, Washington's Trump-Era 'It Couple'". Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  4. 1 2 "Biography from Cove Strategies". Archived from the original on February 17, 2016.
  5. ↑ http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/campaigns/36953-pompeo-to-run-for-tiahrts-seat
  6. ↑ "School News, September 17, 2010". Catholic Diocese of Wichita. September 17, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  7. 1 2 "American Conservative Union chairman slammed for 'straight-up appeal to bigotry' after Kavanaugh hearing tweet". 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  8. ↑ "Matt Schlapp biography video from The American Conservative Union YouTube Channel".
  9. ↑ "Video of Matt Schlapp's Address at CPAC 2015 from The American Conservative Union's Youtube channel".
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