WASHINGTON, DC – With the 2020 election 361 days away, The Ripon Society held a breakfast discussion yesterday morning with the top strategists from the Republican Party’s House and Senate campaign arms.
The strategists were Parker Poling, who serves as Executive Director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Kevin McLaughlin, who serves as Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. In an hour-long presentation, the pair previewed some of the key House and Senate races around the country, and shared their thoughts on the political landscape heading into next year.
“Given all the attention surrounding the presidential campaign and the latest controversies here in Washington,” stated Jim Conzelman, the President and CEO of The Ripon Society, “it’s sometimes easy to forget that there are hundreds of key races being run around the country that will determine control of Congress next year. These races will hinge not only on different issues that are unique to each District and State, but on the ability of candidates to connect with voters in these Districts and States on the issues that are most important to them.
“To be sure, the election is still just under a year off. But the planning, recruitment, and fundraising that will be needed to make sure Republicans are successful is well underway. This effort is being led by Parker and Kevin. They are two of the best at what they do, and we appreciate them taking the time to join us yesterday to discuss the 2020 political environment, and the prospects for the GOP next year.”
“Given all the attention surrounding the presidential campaign and the latest controversies here in Washington, it’s sometimes easy to forget that there are hundreds of key races being run around the country that will determine control of Congress next year.”
According to Conzelman, yesterday’s breakfast discussion with Poling and McLaughlin was attended by a crowd of nearly 75 people. He noted that the breakfast follows up on a discussion The Ripon Society held last month with veteran strategist Ed Goeas, who discussed the current political environment and the results of a recent national poll. It also comes a week before a November 14th breakfast discussion The Ripon Society is scheduled to hold with House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney, who is scheduled to talk about the party’s message heading into 2020. Conzelman added that yesterday’s breakfast was the 69th event The Ripon Society has held in 2019. Future events currently scheduled also include a November 20th breakfast discussion with U.S. Reps. Fred Upton (MI-6) and Greg Walden (OR-2) that will focus on their work as longtime leaders on the Energy & Commerce Committee.
The Ripon Society is a public policy organization that was founded in 1962 and takes its name from the town where the Republican Party was born in 1854 — Ripon, Wisconsin. One of the main goals of The Ripon Society is to promote the ideas and principles that have made America great and contributed to the GOP’s success. These ideas include keeping our nation secure, keeping taxes low and having a federal government that is smaller, smarter and more accountable to the people.