Taking Back the White House -- Democratic National Committee (DNC)
In 2008, after eight years of President Bush’s failed administration, Democrats had a unique opportunity to take back the White House. As Senator John McCain attempted to distance himself from disastrous Republican policies, MSA produced national advertising that held McCain accountable for those policies. This advertising campaign attracted national praise and attention from Tim Russert on Meet the Press and George Stephanopoulos on This Week with George Stephanopoulos.
Congressman Ciro Rodriguez
After serving four terms in Texas’ 28th congressional district and narrowly losing his seat, a Supreme Court redistricting order enabled Ciro Rodriguez to challenge incumbent Harry Bonilla for the 23rd congressional district in 2006. Rodriguez defeated Bonilla 54%-46%, marking only the second time since 1988 that a Republican Congressional incumbent had lost to a Democratic challenger in Texas.
Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter
In 2006, running a low-budget, grassroots campaign, Carol Shea-Porter ousted two-term Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley, becoming the first woman elected to national office in New Hampshire. Her victory was one of the biggest upsets in the monumental midterm election, making her a top target in the next cycle.
Andre Carson
Andre Carson defeated Republican state Representative Jon Elrod 54%-43% in a hard-fought special election to succeed his late grandmother in representing Indiana’s 7th congressional district. The toughest battle, however, would come just eight weeks later when Carson faced a strong field of seven challengers in the Democratic primary. In a campaign that emphasized his background in public service and commitment to the people of Indiana, Carson captured an astounding 46% of the vote, despite being heavily outspent by former state health commissioner Woody Myers, who finished second with 24%.
Governor John Baldacci, ME
John Baldacci has been a client of MSA since 2002 when he became the first Democrat elected governor of Maine since 1986. After eight successful years in Congress, Baldacci was well-positioned to run for Governor.
Congressman Baron Hill
In recent cycles, Indiana’s 9th congressional district has been an uphill battle for Democrats. In 2002 Baron Hill narrowly retained his seat, in 2004 Mike Sodrel narrowly defeated him, and 2006 was billed as the rubber match.
Congressman John Sarbanes
When well-respected Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes decided to retire from the Senate in 2005, Congressman Ben Cardin, from Maryland’s Third Congressional District jumped into the race for the long-serving Senator’s seat. Unwittingly, Maryland’s Senior Senator’s retirement left open the congressional seat where his son, John Peter Sarbanes lived with his family.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)
In 2006, McMahon, Squier and Associates was one of only six media consulting firms hired by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to work on the independent expenditure campaigns of some of the toughest and most important congressional districts in the country. In an unprecedented effort, MSA developed unique spots that matched the tenor of each district while breaking through the clutter.
