Lou Zickar has over 30 years of experience in Republican Party politics both on and off of Capitol Hill. He currently serves as the Director of Communications for The Ripon Society and Editor of The Ripon Forum.

In this position, he has been at the forefront of the debate over the future of the Republican Party. He has been quoted and his writings have been featured in such publications and media outlets as The Chicago Tribune, Politico, CNN, USA Today, Roll Call, The Hill, The Charleston Post & Courier, The Detroit News, Newsday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Huffington Post.

Previously, Zickar served as Administrative Assistant and Communications Director to Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), where he managed the Congressman’s Washington office and helped oversee his legislative and communications strategy. Zickar’s achievements in this job include positioning Thornberry as one of the leading experts on homeland security in the wake of 9/11.

Before joining Thornberry’s staff, Zickar served as Deputy Director of Communications for the National Policy Forum, a think tank established by Haley Barbour when he was Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Among other activities, NPF held 70 town hall meetings across the country in 1993-94, developing issues and ideas that were later incorporated into the Contract with America.

In 1990, Zickar worked as Deputy Director of Strategy & Research for the National Republican Congressional Committee. He conducted opposition research for candidates across the U.S. and spent the final weeks of the campaign in Connecticut, helping Gary Franks become the first Black Republican elected to the House since the 1920s.

Zickar came to the NRCC from the staff of Congressman Bob Walker (PA-16). One week after Zickar was named his Press Secretary, Walker was appointed Chief Deputy Whip by his close ally, Newt Gingrich. Zickar served as the Congressman’s spokesman during this period, handling press inquiries related to ethics investigations surrounding Jim Wright, and the eventual ascension of Tom Foley to the Speakership.

Zickar is a native of Youngstown, Ohio. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 34 years, and have two children.