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{{Short description|American political operative (born c. 1974)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
[[File:Phil Headshot New.png|thumb|Phil Cox in 2018]]
[[File:Phil Headshot New.png|thumb|Phil Cox in 2018]]
'''Phil Cox''' (born c. 1974)<ref name="Mr Hustle">{{cite news|last=Gonzales|first=Nathan L.|title='Mr. Hustle' Takes Virginia Record to National Stage|url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_79/-203177-1.html|newspaper=Roll Call|date=8 February 2011}}</ref> is an American long-time political operative, having served as the campaign manager or senior strategist to more than one hundred campaigns and super-pacs for Congress, Governor, U.S. Senate, and President. He is co-founder of 50 State, a bipartisan, state-focused government affairs firm, co-founder of GuidePostStrategies, a federal government affairs firm, Chairman of IMGE, a digital marketing firm, and partner at P2, a public affairs firm. He is a graduate of the [[University of Virginia]], and lives in [[McLean, Virginia|McLean]], Virginia, with his wife and two children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://50-state.com/us/our-story/#phil-cox|title=Our Story - 50 State|newspaper=50 State|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928130348/http://50-state.com/us/our-story/#phil-cox|archive-date=2018-09-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>
'''Phil Cox''' (born c. 1974)<ref name="Mr Hustle">{{cite news|last=Gonzales|first=Nathan L.|title='Mr. Hustle' Takes Virginia Record to National Stage|url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_79/-203177-1.html|newspaper=Roll Call|date=8 February 2011}}</ref> is an American long-time [[political operative]]. He acted as the campaign manager or senior strategist to [[Republican party]] campaigns and super-pacs for Congress, Governor, U.S. Senate, and President. He was Director of the [[Republican Governors Association]]. He co-founded 50 State, a bipartisan, state-focused government affairs firm, co-founder of GuidePostStrategies, a federal government affairs firm, Chairman of IMGE, a [[digital marketing]] firm, and partner at P2, a public affairs firm.


==Early career==
==Early life and education==
Phil Cox was born in 1974.<ref name="Mr Hustle"/>{{expand section|date=October 2024}}
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After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1996, from 1997 – 2001 Cox worked on a series of [[Virginia General Assembly]] campaigns, eventually helping to elect more than two dozen members. In 2001 he served as Campaign Manager for [[Lieutenant Governor of Virginia|Lt. Governor]] [[John H. Hager|John Hager]]’s campaign for Governor, and in 2005 helped direct [[Bob McDonnell]]’s successful campaign for [[Attorney General of Virginia|Attorney General]].&nbsp;


==Career==
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From 2002 – 2005, Cox helped direct communications and fundraising for the [[Mercatus Center]] at [[George Mason University]], and from 2006 – 2008 worked alongside Tim Phillips at [[Americans for Prosperity]], directing AFP’s fundraising, &nbsp;state chapter development, and issue campaigns.&nbsp;
Cox graduated from the University of Virginia in 1996.{{CN|date=October 2024}}
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From 1997 – 2001 Cox worked on a series of [[Virginia General Assembly]] campaigns, eventually helping to elect more than two dozen members.{{CN|date=October 2024}} In 2001 he served as Campaign Manager for [[Lieutenant Governor of Virginia|Lt. Governor]] [[John H. Hager|John Hager]]’s campaign for Governor, and in 2005 helped direct [[Bob McDonnell]]’s successful campaign for [[Attorney General of Virginia|Attorney General]].{{CN|date=October 2024}}


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From 2002 – 2005, Cox helped direct communications and fundraising for the [[Mercatus Center]] at [[George Mason University]], and from 2006 – 2008 worked alongside [[Tim Phillips (political strategist)|Tim Phillips]] at [[Americans for Prosperity]], directing its fundraising, state chapter development, and issue campaigns.{{CN|date=October 2024}}
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==Republican Governors==
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In 2009, Cox served as Campaign Manager for Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell’s campaign for Governor. A year after [[Barack Obama]] won Virginia by 7 [[United States presidential election in Virginia, 2008|points]], McDonnell enjoyed a 17-point victory<ref>{{cite web|url=http://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/search/year_from:2008/year_to:2009/office_id:3/stage:General|title=Virginia Elections Database » Search Elections|website=Virginia Elections Database|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> over [[Creigh Deeds]], resulting in a sweep of all three statewide offices. Following that victory, McDonnell appointed Cox as his Transition Director.&nbsp;


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===Republican Governors, 2009-2014===
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In 2010, Governor [[Haley Barbour]], Chairman of the [[Republican Governors Association]], hired Cox to help oversee the RGA’s political engagement in a half dozen states, including the expensive battlegrounds of Pennsylvania and Florida.&nbsp;
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In 2009, Cox served as Campaign Manager for Virginia Attorney General [[Bob McDonnell]]’s in his campaign for Governor. A year after [[Barack Obama]] won Virginia by 7 [[United States presidential election in Virginia, 2008|points]], McDonnell enjoyed a 17-point victory<ref>{{cite web|url=http://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/search/year_from:2008/year_to:2009/office_id:3/stage:General|title=Virginia Elections Database » Search Elections|website=Virginia Elections Database|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> over [[Creigh Deeds]], resulting in a sweep of all three statewide offices. Following that victory, McDonnell appointed Cox as his Transition Director.{{CN|date=October 2024}}


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In 2010, Governor [[Haley Barbour]], Chairman of the [[Republican Governors Association]], hired Cox to help oversee the RGA’s political engagement in a half dozen states, including the expensive battlegrounds of Pennsylvania and Florida.{{CN|date=October 2024}}
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From 2011-2014, Phil served as Executive Director of the Republican Governors Association, the senior political adviser to the 31 Republican Governors that held office at that time. During that period the RGA directed more than $250 million in support to candidates in all 50 states.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.krtv.com/story/30058687/fundraising-by-the-dga-and-rga-a-primer|title=Fundraising by the DGA and RGA: A primer|last=News|first=Mike Dennison - MTN|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> During Cox's tenure, the RGA strengthened its majority, electing 31 Republican governors, with notable wins in traditional Democratic-leaning states like [[Charlie Baker|Massachusetts]], [[Larry Hogan|Maryland]], [[Bruce Rauner|Illinois]], and [[Paul LePage|Maine]]. &nbsp;


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From 2011-2014, Phil served as Executive Director of the [[Republican Governors Association]], the senior political adviser to the 31 Republican Governors. During this period the RGA directed more than $250 million in support to candidates in all 50 states.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mike Dennison - MTN |title=Fundraising by the DGA and RGA: A primer |url=http://www.krtv.com/story/30058687/fundraising-by-the-dga-and-rga-a-primer |access-date=2016-10-14 |work=krtv.com}}</ref> During Cox's tenure, the RGA strengthened its majority, electing 31 Republican governors, with notable wins in traditional Democratic-leaning states like [[Charlie Baker|Massachusetts]], [[Larry Hogan|Maryland]], [[Bruce Rauner|Illinois]], and [[Paul LePage|Maine]].
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Following the 2014 cycle, ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' called him “a force for the GOP”,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2014/11/13/mass-native-phil-cox-figures-force-for-gop/MsrL2121TNS0oqLwSTfiZL/story.html|title=Mass. native Phil Cox figures to be a force for the GOP - The Boston Globe|newspaper=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> [[The Washington Times]] “a Republican Kingmaker”,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/28/republican-kingmaker-phil-cox-sets-eyes-on-2016-ra/|title=Republican kingmaker Phil Cox sets eyes on 2016 race|newspaper=[[The Washington Times]]|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> and Politico named him one of its “50 Politicos to Watch.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78301_Page5.html |title=50 politicos to watch: Political operatives - Politico Staff |website=Politico.com |date=2012-07-12 |accessdate=2017-07-15}}</ref>&nbsp;<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-turns-vps-office-into-gateway-for-lobbyists-to-influence-the-trump-administration/2018/06/14/75675bfa-6424-11e8-a69c-b944de66d9e7_story.html</ref><ref>http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article210494864.html</ref>
<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2018/10/22/daily-202-generic-democrats-in-midwest-faring-better-than-more-fiery-liberals-in-sun-belt/5bccea5e1b326b7c8a8d1ab8/</ref>


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Following the 2014 cycle, ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' called him “a force for the GOP”,<ref name="bostonglobe2014">{{Cite news |date=2014-11-13 |title=Mass. native Phil Cox figures to be a force for the GOP |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2014/11/13/mass-native-phil-cox-figures-force-for-gop/MsrL2121TNS0oqLwSTfiZL/story.html |access-date=2016-10-14 |work=BostonGlobe.com}}</ref> [[The Washington Times]] “a Republican Kingmaker”,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/28/republican-kingmaker-phil-cox-sets-eyes-on-2016-ra/|title=Republican kingmaker Phil Cox sets eyes on 2016 race|newspaper=[[The Washington Times]]|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> and Politico named him one of its “50 Politicos to Watch.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78301_Page5.html |title=50 politicos to watch: Political operatives - Politico Staff |website=Politico.com |date=2012-07-12 |access-date=2017-07-15}}</ref><ref name="WP2018">{{Cite news |last=Michael Scherer |last2=Josh Dawsey |last3=Anu Narayanswamy |date=2018-06-16 |orig-date=2018-06-15 |title=Pence turns VP's office into gateway for lobbyists to influence the Trump administration |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-turns-vps-office-into-gateway-for-lobbyists-to-influence-the-trump-administration/2018/06/14/75675bfa-6424-11e8-a69c-b944de66d9e7_story.html |work=[[The Washington Post]] |location=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409}}{{WaPoCheckDates}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2018/10/22/daily-202-generic-democrats-in-midwest-faring-better-than-more-fiery-liberals-in-sun-belt/5bccea5e1b326b7c8a8d1ab8/ |title=The Daily 202: Generic Democrats in Midwest faring better than more fiery liberals in Sun Belt |date=2020-07-17 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |place=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409}}</ref>
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In 2015–2016, Cox founded and directed America Leads, the presidential [[Political action committee|Super-PAC]] supporting New Jersey Governor [[Chris Christie]].


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In 2015–2016, Cox founded and directed "America Leads", which was the presidential [[Political action committee|Super-PAC]] supporting New Jersey Governor [[Chris Christie]].{{CN|date=October 2024}}
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In 2018, Cox served as Chairman and senior advisor to super-PACs in support of candidates for governor and U.S. Senate, and managed Independent Expenditure campaigns on behalf of the RGA in a handful of governors races, including the only pick-up of the cycle in Alaska. &nbsp;<ref>https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2018/07/16/pro-hugin-super-pac-has-ties-to-christie-512709</ref><ref>https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/396552-battleground-governor-races-preview-2020-white-house-fight</ref><ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2018/10/22/daily-202-generic-democrats-in-midwest-faring-better-than-more-fiery-liberals-in-sun-belt/5bccea5e1b326b7c8a8d1ab8/</ref>


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In 2018, Cox served as chairman and senior advisor to super-PACs in support of candidates for governor and U.S. Senate, and managed [[independent expenditure]] campaigns on behalf of the RGA in a handful of governors races, including the only pick-up of the cycle in Alaska.<ref name="Politico2018/07/16">{{Cite web |date=2018-07-16 |title=Pro-Hugin super PAC has ties to Christie |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2018/07/16/pro-hugin-super-pac-has-ties-to-christie-512709 |website=Politico}}</ref><ref name="hill">{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Reid |date=12 July 2018 |title=Dems seek to rebuild Rust Belt 'blue wall' in governor races |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/396552-battleground-governor-races-preview-2020-white-house-fight |work=The Hill}}</ref><ref name="auto"/>
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In 2019, Cox served as co-chair for [https://tradeworksforamerica.com/ Trade Works for America], a national campaign which helped pass the USMCA trade agreement, making a number of public and national media appearances.


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In 2019, Cox served as co-chair for "Trade Works for America", a national campaign, which helped pass the [[USMCA]] trade agreement, making a number of public and national media appearances.{{CN|date=October 2024}}
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== 50 State, GuidePost Strategies, P2 Public Affairs, IMGE ==
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Following his tenure at the RGA, Cox partnered with former [[Democratic Governors Association]] Executive Director Colm O'Comartun to form [https://50-state.com 50 State], a bipartisan, state-focused government affairs firm serving corporations, trade associations, and national non-profit organizations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/50-state-llc-phil-cox-colm-ocomartun-113573|title=Top staffers at RGA, DGA form consulting firm|newspaper=POLITICO|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref>


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=== 50 State, GuidePost Strategies, P2 Public Affairs, IMGE, America PAC ===
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Following President [[Donald Trump]]'s election, Cox founded [http://gps-50.com/ GuidePost Strategies], a federally-focused government and public affairs firm, along with former [[Republican Governors Association|RGA]] Policy Director, Marie Sanderson. In 2018, former White House Legislative Director, Marc Short, joined GuidePost as a partner.<ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/12/marc-short-trump-departure-white-house-713453</ref>
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In 2014, Cox partnered with former [[Democratic Governors Association]] Executive Director Colm O'Comartun to form "50 State", a bipartisan, state-focused government affairs firm serving corporations, trade associations, and national non-profit organizations.<ref name="politico2014">{{Cite news |title=Top staffers at RGA, DGA form consulting firm |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/50-state-llc-phil-cox-colm-ocomartun-113573 |access-date=2016-10-14 |work=POLITICO}}</ref>


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After President [[Donald Trump]]'s election in 2016, Cox founded "GuidePost Strategies", a federally-focused government and public affairs firm, along with former [[Republican Governors Association|RGA]] Policy Director Marie Sanderson. In 2018, former White House Legislative Director, [[Marc Short]], joined GuidePost as a partner.<ref name="politico2018">{{Cite web |date=2018-07-12 |title=Trump's top Hill aide leaving White House amid Supreme Court battle - POLITICO |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/12/marc-short-trump-departure-white-house-713453 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref>
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Cox is a founding partner of [https://p2publicaffairs.com P2 Public Affairs], a specialized communications and strategy firm that runs advocacy campaigns across the nation and in Washington, D.C.


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Cox is a founding partner of P2 Public Affairs, a specialized communications and strategy firm that runs advocacy campaigns across the nation and in Washington, D.C.
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Cox serves as Chairman of the Board of [https://imge.com/ IMGE],<ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/19/gillespie-imge-board-directors-653301</ref> a digital consulting and marketing firm, on the Board of Directors for the Senate Leadership Fund, on the Board of Directors for [[WinRed]], on the Board of Advisors for [https://n2america.us N2 America], and is a member of the Public Policy Council for the [[The Michael J. Fox Foundation|Michael J. Fox Foundation]], which is a leader in the fight against Parkinson's disease.


As of 2018, Cox served as chairman of the Board of IMGE, a digital consulting and marketing firm.<ref name="politico2018-06-19">{{Cite web |date=2018-06-19 |title=Gillespie joins IMGE board of directors - POLITICO |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/19/gillespie-imge-board-directors-653301 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref>
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Cox has appeared on [[CNBC]], [[Fox Business]], [[C-SPAN|C-Span]], [[NPR]], and the Hugh Hewitt Show and is frequently cited for political commentary and analysis in national publications.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2014/11/13/mass-native-phil-cox-figures-force-for-gop/MsrL2121TNS0oqLwSTfiZL/story.html |title=Mass. native Phil Cox figures to be a force for the GOP |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=2014-11-14 |accessdate=2017-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Dorfman |first=Zach |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/50-state-llc-phil-cox-colm-ocomartun-113573.html#ixzz3Oug934ZT |title=Top staffers at RGA, DGA form consulting firm |website=Politico.com |date=2014-12-15 |accessdate=2017-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/28/republican-kingmaker-phil-cox-sets-eyes-on-2016-ra/#ixzz3Oujr9pXh |title=Republican kingmaker Phil Cox sets eyes on 2016 race |newspaper=[[Washington Times]] |date= |accessdate=2017-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/50-state-llc-founders-discuss-state-level-strategy-2015-1 |title=50-State LLC Founders Discuss State Level Strategy |publisher=[[Business Insider]] |date=2015-01-13 |accessdate=2017-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sathian |first=Sanjena |url=http://www.ozy.com/provocateurs/phil-cox-the-gop-operative-on-the-move/61345 |title=Phil Cox: The GOP Operative on the Move &#124; Provocateurs |website=Ozy.com |date=2015-08-18 |accessdate=2017-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2016/10/04/gop_starts_to_eye_race_to_replace_kaine_in_senate_131960.html|title=GOP Starts to Eye Race to Replace Kaine in Senate {{!}} RealClearPolitics|access-date=2016-10-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.c-span.org/person/?philcox|title=Phil cox|website=C-span.org|accessdate=2017-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bartel |first=Bill |url=http://pilotonline.com/news/government/nation/virginia-beach-native-marc-short-follows-his-father-s-footsteps/article_edbc05b6-b0f6-5593-973e-a6099be84593.html |title=Virginia Beach native Marc Short follows his father's footsteps to a key post in Trump White House &#124; U.S. Government |website=Pilotonline.com |date=2017-04-22 |accessdate=2017-07-15}}</ref><ref>https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181116/news/311169866</ref><ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/29/trump-virginia-elections-1243100</ref>

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<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-new-nafta-faces-mounting-resistance-in-democratic-house-11556493604 |title=Trump's New Nafta Faces Mounting Resistance in Democratic House |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=2019-05-30 |accessdate=2019-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=709348205 |title=Lawmakers Pressed To Support the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Deal |newspaper=[[NPR]] |date=2019-03-04 |accessdate=2019-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://ak.podcast.foxnewsradio.com/talk/KNFCLIP/Mary%20-Phil%20Cox-%20042319.mp3 |newspaper=[[Fox News]] |accessdate=2019-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/26/gop-grassroots-campaign-sells-trump-trade-deal-with-mexico-canada-to-skeptical-voters-lawmakers.html |title=GOP begins grassroots campaign to sell Trump's trade deal with Mexico and Canada to skeptical voters and lawmakers |newspaper=[[CNBC]] |date=2019-03-26 |accessdate=2019-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/north-american-trade-deal-faces-early-headwinds-on-capitol-hill/2019/03/29/ef5b0d0c-5178-11e9-88a1-ed346f0ec94f_story.html?noredirect=on&wpisrc=al_news__alert-economy--alert-politics--alert-national&wpmk=1 |title=Trump's North American trade deal at risk of stalling in Congress |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=2019-03-29 |accessdate=2019-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-nafta-trade-pelosi-congress-20190404-story.html |title=Trump needs Nancy Pelosi, his biggest adversary, to help pass revamped NAFTA |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2019-04-04 |accessdate=2019-05-30}}</ref>
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Cox also has served on the board of directors for the "Senate Leadership Fund", on the board of directors for [[WinRed]], on the Board of Advisors for N2 America, and is a member of the Public Policy Council for [[The Michael J. Fox Foundation]], which is a leader in the fight against Parkinson's disease.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

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Cox has appeared on [[CNBC]], [[Fox Business]], [[C-SPAN]], [[NPR]], and the [[Hugh Hewitt Show]] and is frequently cited for political commentary and analysis in national publications.<ref name="bostonglobe">{{Cite news |date=2014-11-14 |title=Mass. native Phil Cox figures to be a force for the GOP |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2014/11/13/mass-native-phil-cox-figures-force-for-gop/MsrL2121TNS0oqLwSTfiZL/story.html |access-date=2017-07-15 |work=[[The Boston Globe]]}}</ref><ref name="politico2014-12-15">{{Cite web |last=Dorfman |first=Zach |date=2014-12-15 |title=Top staffers at RGA, DGA form consulting firm |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/50-state-llc-phil-cox-colm-ocomartun-113573.html#ixzz3Oug934ZT |access-date=2017-07-15 |website=Politico.com}}</ref><ref name="wash">{{Cite news |date=2014-12-28 |title=Republican kingmaker Phil Cox sets eyes on 2016 race |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/28/republican-kingmaker-phil-cox-sets-eyes-on-2016-ra/#ixzz3Oujr9pXh |access-date=2017-07-15 |work=[[Washington Times]]}}</ref><ref name="businessinsider">{{Cite web |date=2015-01-13 |title=50-State LLC Founders Discuss State Level Strategy |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/50-state-llc-founders-discuss-state-level-strategy-2015-1 |access-date=2017-07-15 |publisher=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref><ref name="ozy">{{Cite web |last=Sathian |first=Sanjena |date=2015-08-18 |title=Phil Cox: The GOP Operative on the Move &#124; Provocateurs |url=http://www.ozy.com/provocateurs/phil-cox-the-gop-operative-on-the-move/61345 |access-date=2017-07-15 |website=Ozy.com}}</ref><ref name="c-span.">{{Cite web |title=Phil cox |url=https://www.c-span.org/person/?philcox |access-date=2017-07-15 |website=C-span.org}}</ref><ref name="pilotonline">{{Cite web |last=Bartel |first=Bill |date=2017-04-22 |title=Virginia Beach native Marc Short follows his father's footsteps to a key post in Trump White House &#124; U.S. Government |url=http://pilotonline.com/news/government/nation/virginia-beach-native-marc-short-follows-his-father-s-footsteps/article_edbc05b6-b0f6-5593-973e-a6099be84593.html |access-date=2017-07-15 |website=Pilotonline.com}}</ref><ref name="dailyherald">{{Cite web |date=16 November 2018 |title=Political 'veteran' at age 36 eyed for Trump chief of staff |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181116/news/311169866}}</ref><ref name="politico2019">{{Cite web |date=2019-03-29 |title=The blue state Trump thinks he can flip in 2020 - POLITICO |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/29/trump-virginia-elections-1243100 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref>
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<ref name="wsj">{{Cite news |date=2019-05-30 |title=Trump's New Nafta Faces Mounting Resistance in Democratic House |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-new-nafta-faces-mounting-resistance-in-democratic-house-11556493604 |access-date=2019-05-30 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=709348205 |title=Lawmakers Pressed To Support the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Deal |newspaper=[[NPR]] |date=2019-03-04 |access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mary, Phil Cox |format=MP3|url=http://ak.podcast.foxnewsradio.com/talk/KNFCLIP/Mary%20-Phil%20Cox-%20042319.mp3 |newspaper=[[Fox News]] |access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref><ref name="cnbc">{{Cite news |date=2019-03-26 |title=GOP begins grassroots campaign to sell Trump's trade deal with Mexico and Canada to skeptical voters and lawmakers |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/26/gop-grassroots-campaign-sells-trump-trade-deal-with-mexico-canada-to-skeptical-voters-lawmakers.html |access-date=2019-05-30 |work=[[CNBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/north-american-trade-deal-faces-early-headwinds-on-capitol-hill/2019/03/29/ef5b0d0c-5178-11e9-88a1-ed346f0ec94f_story.html?noredirect=on&wpisrc=al_news__alert-economy--alert-politics--alert-national&wpmk=1 |title=Trump's North American trade deal at risk of stalling in Congress |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=2019-03-29 |access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref><ref name="LATimes">{{Cite news |date=2019-04-04 |title=Trump needs Nancy Pelosi, his biggest adversary, to help pass revamped NAFTA |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-nafta-trade-pelosi-congress-20190404-story.html |access-date=2019-05-30 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

In July 2024, he took a leadership postion at [[America PAC]], the PAC founded by [[Elon Musk]] to support [[Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign|Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign]].<ref name="CNBC August">{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Brian |date=2024-08-02 |title=How an Elon Musk PAC is using voter data to help Trump beat Harris in 2024 election |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/02/elon-musk-pac-voter-data-trump-harris.html |website=cnbc.com |publisher=CNBC}}</ref>

==Personal life==
As of 2016 Cox lived in [[McLean, Virginia|McLean]], Virginia, with his wife and two children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://50-state.com/us/our-story/#phil-cox|title=Our Story - 50 State|newspaper=50 State|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928130348/http://50-state.com/us/our-story/#phil-cox|archive-date=2018-09-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 19:00, 17 October 2024

Phil Cox in 2018

Phil Cox (born c. 1974)[1] is an American long-time political operative. He acted as the campaign manager or senior strategist to Republican party campaigns and super-pacs for Congress, Governor, U.S. Senate, and President. He was Director of the Republican Governors Association. He co-founded 50 State, a bipartisan, state-focused government affairs firm, co-founder of GuidePostStrategies, a federal government affairs firm, Chairman of IMGE, a digital marketing firm, and partner at P2, a public affairs firm.

Early life and education

[edit]

Phil Cox was born in 1974.[1]

Career

[edit]

Cox graduated from the University of Virginia in 1996.[citation needed] From 1997 – 2001 Cox worked on a series of Virginia General Assembly campaigns, eventually helping to elect more than two dozen members.[citation needed] In 2001 he served as Campaign Manager for Lt. Governor John Hager’s campaign for Governor, and in 2005 helped direct Bob McDonnell’s successful campaign for Attorney General.[citation needed]

From 2002 – 2005, Cox helped direct communications and fundraising for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and from 2006 – 2008 worked alongside Tim Phillips at Americans for Prosperity, directing its fundraising, state chapter development, and issue campaigns.[citation needed]

Republican Governors, 2009-2014

[edit]

In 2009, Cox served as Campaign Manager for Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell’s in his campaign for Governor. A year after Barack Obama won Virginia by 7 points, McDonnell enjoyed a 17-point victory[2] over Creigh Deeds, resulting in a sweep of all three statewide offices. Following that victory, McDonnell appointed Cox as his Transition Director.[citation needed]

In 2010, Governor Haley Barbour, Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, hired Cox to help oversee the RGA’s political engagement in a half dozen states, including the expensive battlegrounds of Pennsylvania and Florida.[citation needed]

From 2011-2014, Phil served as Executive Director of the Republican Governors Association, the senior political adviser to the 31 Republican Governors. During this period the RGA directed more than $250 million in support to candidates in all 50 states.[3] During Cox's tenure, the RGA strengthened its majority, electing 31 Republican governors, with notable wins in traditional Democratic-leaning states like Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois, and Maine.

Following the 2014 cycle, The Boston Globe called him “a force for the GOP”,[4] The Washington Times “a Republican Kingmaker”,[5] and Politico named him one of its “50 Politicos to Watch.”[6][7][8]

In 2015–2016, Cox founded and directed "America Leads", which was the presidential Super-PAC supporting New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.[citation needed]

In 2018, Cox served as chairman and senior advisor to super-PACs in support of candidates for governor and U.S. Senate, and managed independent expenditure campaigns on behalf of the RGA in a handful of governors races, including the only pick-up of the cycle in Alaska.[9][10][8]

In 2019, Cox served as co-chair for "Trade Works for America", a national campaign, which helped pass the USMCA trade agreement, making a number of public and national media appearances.[citation needed]

50 State, GuidePost Strategies, P2 Public Affairs, IMGE, America PAC

[edit]

In 2014, Cox partnered with former Democratic Governors Association Executive Director Colm O'Comartun to form "50 State", a bipartisan, state-focused government affairs firm serving corporations, trade associations, and national non-profit organizations.[11]

After President Donald Trump's election in 2016, Cox founded "GuidePost Strategies", a federally-focused government and public affairs firm, along with former RGA Policy Director Marie Sanderson. In 2018, former White House Legislative Director, Marc Short, joined GuidePost as a partner.[12]

Cox is a founding partner of P2 Public Affairs, a specialized communications and strategy firm that runs advocacy campaigns across the nation and in Washington, D.C.

As of 2018, Cox served as chairman of the Board of IMGE, a digital consulting and marketing firm.[13]

Cox also has served on the board of directors for the "Senate Leadership Fund", on the board of directors for WinRed, on the Board of Advisors for N2 America, and is a member of the Public Policy Council for The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which is a leader in the fight against Parkinson's disease.[citation needed]

Cox has appeared on CNBC, Fox Business, C-SPAN, NPR, and the Hugh Hewitt Show and is frequently cited for political commentary and analysis in national publications.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] [23][24][25][26][27][28]

In July 2024, he took a leadership postion at America PAC, the PAC founded by Elon Musk to support Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.[29]

Personal life

[edit]

As of 2016 Cox lived in McLean, Virginia, with his wife and two children.[30]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Gonzales, Nathan L. (8 February 2011). "'Mr. Hustle' Takes Virginia Record to National Stage". Roll Call.
  2. ^ "Virginia Elections Database » Search Elections". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  3. ^ Mike Dennison - MTN. "Fundraising by the DGA and RGA: A primer". krtv.com. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Mass. native Phil Cox figures to be a force for the GOP". BostonGlobe.com. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Republican kingmaker Phil Cox sets eyes on 2016 race". The Washington Times. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  6. ^ "50 politicos to watch: Political operatives - Politico Staff". Politico.com. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  7. ^ Michael Scherer; Josh Dawsey; Anu Narayanswamy (16 June 2018) [2018-06-15]. "Pence turns VP's office into gateway for lobbyists to influence the Trump administration". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.[please check these dates]
  8. ^ a b "The Daily 202: Generic Democrats in Midwest faring better than more fiery liberals in Sun Belt". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. 17 July 2020. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
  9. ^ "Pro-Hugin super PAC has ties to Christie". Politico. 16 July 2018.
  10. ^ Wilson, Reid (12 July 2018). "Dems seek to rebuild Rust Belt 'blue wall' in governor races". The Hill.
  11. ^ "Top staffers at RGA, DGA form consulting firm". POLITICO. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  12. ^ "Trump's top Hill aide leaving White House amid Supreme Court battle - POLITICO". Politico. 12 July 2018.
  13. ^ "Gillespie joins IMGE board of directors - POLITICO". Politico. 19 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Mass. native Phil Cox figures to be a force for the GOP". The Boston Globe. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  15. ^ Dorfman, Zach (15 December 2014). "Top staffers at RGA, DGA form consulting firm". Politico.com. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  16. ^ "Republican kingmaker Phil Cox sets eyes on 2016 race". Washington Times. 28 December 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  17. ^ "50-State LLC Founders Discuss State Level Strategy". Business Insider. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  18. ^ Sathian, Sanjena (18 August 2015). "Phil Cox: The GOP Operative on the Move | Provocateurs". Ozy.com. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  19. ^ "Phil cox". C-span.org. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  20. ^ Bartel, Bill (22 April 2017). "Virginia Beach native Marc Short follows his father's footsteps to a key post in Trump White House | U.S. Government". Pilotonline.com. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  21. ^ "Political 'veteran' at age 36 eyed for Trump chief of staff". 16 November 2018.
  22. ^ "The blue state Trump thinks he can flip in 2020 - POLITICO". Politico. 29 March 2019.
  23. ^ "Trump's New Nafta Faces Mounting Resistance in Democratic House". The Wall Street Journal. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  24. ^ "Lawmakers Pressed To Support the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Deal". NPR. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  25. ^ "Mary, Phil Cox" (MP3). Fox News. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  26. ^ "GOP begins grassroots campaign to sell Trump's trade deal with Mexico and Canada to skeptical voters and lawmakers". CNBC. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  27. ^ "Trump's North American trade deal at risk of stalling in Congress". Washington Post. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  28. ^ "Trump needs Nancy Pelosi, his biggest adversary, to help pass revamped NAFTA". Los Angeles Times. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  29. ^ Schwartz, Brian (2 August 2024). "How an Elon Musk PAC is using voter data to help Trump beat Harris in 2024 election". cnbc.com. CNBC.
  30. ^ "Our Story - 50 State". 50 State. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
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