Today, former U.S. Senator Jim DeMint announced that he will serve as Chairman of the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI), a new nonprofit focused on providing conservative leaders and staff in Washington with the tools, tactics, resources and strategies to advance conservative policies in Congress.
“Conservatives have built a strong system of electing new leaders to Washington and holding incumbents accountable on Capitol Hill,” said DeMint. “However, there’s a missing piece that has proved costly: shepherding conservatives through the Washington swamps without being infected with Potomac Fever. The Conservative Partnership Institute will fill this void by providing the resources, expertise and training needed for leaders and staff in Washington to succeed.
“We’ve put together a team of experienced conservative experts whose mission will be to educate the public on how Washington really works, help congressmen and senators hire and train staff, work with other conservatives in the House and the Senate about the best practices, rules and procedures of their institutions, and create opportunities for members and staff to develop the camaraderie, relationships and communication that will make them more effective,” said DeMint.
“CPI will not seek to replicate the excellent work of other conservative groups, we view them as partners and I’m excited to continue working with these leaders. We will host regular meetings and strategy sessions with Members of Congress and House and Senate staff, connecting them with the best thought leaders throughout the Movement, to help them shape strategy and drive the conservative agenda.”
“The conservative movement is best when it is united, and I look forward to joining forces with conservatives across Washington to strengthen and support those fighting for the principles we believe in. We must continue to support conservatives in Congress and in the administration who are fighting the entrenched Washington establishment,” said DeMint.
Praise for CPI from conservative leaders:
- Rep. Mark Meadows (R-North Carolina), Chairman of House Freedom Caucus: “The Conservative Partnership Institute will provide a critical bridge between conservatives on Capitol Hill and policy experts in the field. Senator DeMint and his team offer decades of experience serving in the conservative movement and fighting on Capitol Hill. They have been in the trenches on some of the biggest policy battles of our time. The Freedom Caucus looks forward to working with them to get our country back on the right track.”
- Rep. Mark Walker (R-North Carolina), Chairman of Republican Study Committee: “The Conservative Partnership Institute understands that we must transform conservative ideology into conservative reality. CPI will serve as a solid resource to Members of Congress, staff, and other outside groups that work to make a difference in the conservative movement. When conservatives work in partnership, our ideas will win.”
- Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of Senate Steering Committee: “CPI fills a unique role that is critically needed in Washington, partnering with conservative members, staff and the movement to succeed in advancing liberty. No conservative leader is more trusted than Jim DeMint on Capitol Hill and his staff is second to none in rock solid conservative principles.”
- Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), former Chairman of House Freedom Caucus an Republican Study Committee: “Jim has been fighting for conservative policy against the establishment for decades, and no one knows better how to survive the pitfalls in Washington. CPI has a unique focus that will help new members get staffed and ready quickly, and help connect the movement more closely to leaders on the Hill.”
CPI’s veteran staff has over 50 years of combined Capitol Hill experience:
Ed Corrigan, Executive Director: Corrigan has over 25 years of leadership experience on Capitol Hill and in the conservative movement. He was tapped by the Trump Transition to lead the personnel selection process for domestic policy positions, working to place hundreds of conservatives in key administrative jobs. He previously worked as Group Vice President for Policy Promotion at the Heritage Foundation. From 2003 through 2012, he was executive director of the Senate Steering Committee, the caucus of conservative senators, under two chairmen — Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL). Prior to his work at the Steering Committee, he served as legislative Director for Senator Bob Smith (R-NH).
Wesley Denton, Senior Director of Communications: Denton began working on Capitol Hill in 2001. He served as communications director for Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) from 2005 to 2013 and for Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) from 2002-2005. He also served as a press assistant to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee in 2001. Beginning in 2013, Denton worked at The Heritage Foundation as a senior policy advisor and launched the American Perceptions Initiative, a market research project. He went on to become Group Vice President of Communications, where he oversaw the organization’s public relations, digital, video and marketing teams, as well as The Daily Signal, a leading conservative news outlet.
Rachel Bovard, Senior Director of Policy: Bovard has over a decade of experience fighting for conservative policies in Washington. Beginning in 2006, she served in both the House and Senate in various roles including as legislative director for Senator Rand Paul. Bovard went on to serve as policy director for the Senate Steering Committee under the successive chairmanships of Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), where she advised Committee members on strategy related to floor procedure and policy matters. In the House, she worked as senior legislative assistant to Congressman Donald Manzullo (R-IL), and Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX). She also served as director of policy services for The Heritage Foundation.
Matt Buckham, Program Coordinator: Buckham has been working on conservative policy and communications since 2011. He served in Congress as a policy and communications advisor for the House Freedom Caucus, and previously was on the legislative staff of Senator DeMint. He also worked in coalition and communications roles at the Heritage Foundation. Recently, he was part of President Trump’s transition team, working to place conservatives in key positions within the administration through the personnel team.
Megan Tubb, Program Coordinator: Tubb got her start on Capitol Hill interning in the office of Mark Meadows (R-NC) where she served as a research assistant and generalist. Prior to joining CPI, she was a congressional events coordinator at the Heritage Foundation. Her work at Heritage focused on managing the logistics for hundreds of weekly meetings, lunches, and outreach initiatives. Her writing has appeared in The Cornell Daily Sun, The Federalist, and The Daily Signal. Tubb graduated from Cornell University.
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