Carville Unfiltered, Creating a Values-Driven Workplace and more

Spring is blooming—and so is your AAPC community! 🌸
 
From James Carville’s candid commentary in New Orleans to practical strategies for building values-driven teams, there’s a lot happening at AAPC this month.
 
Let’s dig in!
 
Anna Ross
Membership Marketing & Communications Manager
 
In this issue…
 • Member Moves
 • Highlights from AAPC’s Southern Regional Conference
 • Creating a Values-Driven Workplace in Political Consulting
 • National Ethics Awareness Month
 • Don’t Miss
 • New & Returning Members

Member Moves
 • Austin Fiala is transitioning to Digital Fundraising Director at the NRCC.
 • Todd Cheewing is the new Director of Executive Affairs at Ascent Strategic.

Highlights from AAPC’s Southern Regional Conference

In politics, no matter your role or experience level, you’re in the business of persuasion. Everyone’s a pitchman—or woman—whether you’re rallying voters on the trail, strategizing behind the scenes, or crunching numbers in the data trenches. And few understand how to sell a message better than James Carville.
 
At our Southern Regional Conference in New Orleans, the AAPC Hall of Fame inductee didn’t hold back—he rarely does. In a conversation that spanned everything from AI to Alabama football, Carville delivered a masterclass in political messaging, blending hard truths with wild anecdotes, all wrapped in his signature mix of irreverence and insight.
 
Here’s what consultants should take away:
 
Cut the Moral Superiority—Win Instead
Carville lit into (in his view) Democrats’ tendency to chase moral high ground over power: “There’s been an element of the Democratic Party that just wanted to feel morally superior... That’s how you come up with this jacka** identity politics.” The takeaway for consultants on any side of the aisle–build coalitions around real, kitchen-table issues.
 
Inspiration Still Matters
In a media-saturated era, charisma cuts through. On the Dem side, Carville asserted that “We haven’t had an inspirational candidate since 2012… People want someone they’d charge a hill with.” Translation: your candidate needs to feel like a leader. Build the narrative around that energy—not just the issues.
 
Campaigns Are Family (Dysfunctional, Maybe—But Family)
Carville got nostalgic about the grind: “The relationships you make in campaigns are the most lasting… you drink, eat, make out with the same people.” It’s a brutal business—but the highs are unmatched. If you’re in it, you’re in it for the war and the weirdness.
 
His bottom line: adapt, be honest, and never forget —“There’s nothing more powerful on Earth than a reason.”

Creating a Values-Driven Workplace in Political Consulting

In fast-paced political consulting, where burnout is a real risk, fostering a values-driven workplace is essential. Kyle Wilder-Slaughter (New Blue Interactive), Ashley Knight (Axium), and Sierra Schmitz (Moxie Media) shared their strategies in a recent AAPC webinar [ [link removed] ] .
 
Prioritize Communication: “Communication happens in one-on-ones, questionnaires, reviews,” said Wilder-Slaughter. Open dialogue between senior and junior staff, especially during election crunch times, is critical for retention and morale.
 
Be Proactive, Not Reactive: “You don’t want to wait for a crisis to decide what to do,” Knight emphasized. Clear HR policies—covering misconduct, compliance, and FEC regulations—help firms navigate challenges before they arise.
 
Support Junior Staff: “Leaders forget what it’s like to be junior,” Wilder-Slaughter noted. Firms should hold leadership meetings focused on junior staff concerns to ensure they feel supported.
 
Make Training Engaging: Knight recommends previewing HR training: “If it’s too dull, I record a more engaging version myself.” Tailored compliance and harassment training makes policies stick.
 
Navigate State Laws: With remote teams spread across states, staying current on employment laws is tough. “I rely on compliance software,” Schmitz shared. Worker classification, tax laws, and training requirements shift frequently.
 
A strong HR foundation builds resilient teams. As Wilder-Slaughter put it, “Treat everyone like they’re here for 10 years—even if it’s just one day.” AAPC members enjoy complimentary access to this full recording and a full library of archives. Interested in becoming a member? Click here to learn more. [ [link removed] ]

National Ethics Awareness Month

March is National Ethics Awareness Month, and the AAPC is proud to champion ethical practices across the political consulting industry
 
Our Code of Ethics [ [link removed] ] serves as the foundation of our professional standards, upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in every campaign and communication.
 
Whether you're a consultant, communicator, or campaign professional, we invite you to join us in promoting ethical excellence throughout the industry. Learn more about our commitment to ethics and become a member of the AAPC here. [ [link removed] ]

Don’t Miss

AAPC & Greater NY Chapter Networking Evening [ [link removed] ] | April 16 | New York, New York
The Political Consulting Event of the Year™ [ [link removed] ] | May 19-21 | Colorado Springs, CO
Midwest Regional Conference [ [link removed] ] | June 23-24 | Cincinnati, Ohio
📢 Stay Connected: Subscribe to our YouTube [ [link removed] ] channel for even more insights.
🎙️Subscribe and listen to AAPC’s Podcast! [ [link removed] ]

🚀 Welcome to our newest and returning members—glad to have you on board! [ [link removed] ] Click here to view. [ [link removed] ] 🚀

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