Kaufman Campaign Consultants
Robin Swanson
Consultant
Recently named a national “Rising Star of Politics” of 2007 by Campaigns and Elections magazine, Robin Swanson currently serves as a political consultant for Kaufman Campaign Consultants, a Sacramento-based consulting firm that has run some of the most visible and successful political and initiative campaigns in the state of California. Swanson specializes in press and media relations and regularly provides on-air commentary on both local and national news programs as a “Democratic Strategist.”
In the 2006 Election Cycle, Swanson served as the Communications Director for the successful statewide education bond, Proposition 1D. She also served as a spokesperson for No on Prop. 89, a measure that was soundly defeated by California’s voters.
During the 2005 Special Election, Swanson led the earned media efforts for the Alliance for a Better California, working with unions representing teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses and other public employees to defeat all of Governor Schwarzenegger’s ballot initiatives in the Special Election. The Alliance efforts, including staging rallies and protests of over 10,000 people in both Sacramento and Los Angeles, received comprehensive and constant media coverage for almost 6 months preceding the Election.
In the 2004 General Election, Swanson served as consultant and spokesperson for Assemblymember Nicole Parra’s (AD-30) successful bid for re-election, helping to defeat a $2 million Republican effort to pick up this seat. Widely regarded as the number one targeted Assembly race in the state, Swanson helped orchestrate a comprehensive earned media campaign that ultimately defined both Parra and her opponent, leading Parra to a 10 point margin of victory on Election Day.
In the 2002 Primary and General Elections, Swanson ran press operations and served as spokesperson for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell’s overwhelmingly successful campaign, coordinating O’Connell’s signature “card table office hours,” in dozens of communities across the state, from Eureka to Santa Ana.
Prior to joining Kaufman Campaign Consultants, Swanson was the Press Secretary for U.S. Congressman and Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett. Working for six years on Capitol Hill, Swanson was responsible for creating statewide and national press strategies, writing speeches, statements, talking points and press releases, planning press conferences and coordinating all aspects of print, television and radio.
Swanson also served as Deputy Press Secretary for the Democratic Leadership Council, working with national political reporters to highlight DLC ideas and leaders across the country. In 1996, Swanson worked for Clinton-Gore during the New Hampshire Primary and provided commentary for a nationally-syndicated radio show.
Swanson received a Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia and a Master’s degree in Government from Johns Hopkins University.
Swanson has completed four marathons, including the California International Marathon in December 2006.