Washington, D.C. – SKDKnickerbocker (SKDK), the country’s leading strategic communications and political consulting firm, was involved in key victories across the country on Election Day yesterday. From Mississippi to New York, our clients scored big and important wins in hard-fought contests in which SKDK helped to craft winning messages and compelling ads.
“SKDK is honored to have been part of last night’s winning campaigns, including the re-election of Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, the re-election of Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, a key Virginia State Senate seat and several State Assembly seats in New Jersey,” said J.B. Poersch, managing director of SKDK’s political division.
In Mississippi, Attorney General Hood was able to win a tough re-election in a ruby red state at the same time the Republican governor won an overwhelming victory. This is a testament to Attorney General Hood’s message and strong campaign team. Erie County, N.Y., Executive Mark Poloncarz won a resounding re-election victory on a message of building on the accomplishments of his first term. In Virginia, working with Everytown for Gun Safety, Jeremy McPike was able to defeat a well-funded Republican challenger in the NRA’s backyard on a message promoting gun safety. New Jersey incumbent Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo, Herb Conaway and Troy Singleton held onto their seats, expanding Democratic control of the Assembly to nearly a veto-proof majority.
“Whether it was in the Deep South or Buffalo, our clients proved that there is no substitute for well-run campaigns with compelling messages and advertisements. Congratulations to all of our candidates, campaigns and tired staffers for big victories last night,” said Jennifer Cunningham, managing director of SKDKnickerbocker.
Key Victories
Mississippi Attorney General: Democrat Jim Hood defeated former federal prosecutor Mike Hurst, with 54 percent of the vote to Hurst’s 46 percent.
Background: Jim Hood was first elected to attorney general of Mississippi in 2003, defeating the Republican nominee Scott Newton. Last night, Attorney General Hood secured his third four-year term by defeating a former federal prosecutor, Mike Hurst. This was a highly contested race and Hood was able to win in a red state where the Republican governor was re-elected overwhelmingly.
Erie County, N.Y., Executive: Democrat Mark Poloncarz defeated Republican Assemblyman Ray Walter, with 65 percent of the vote to Walter’s 35 percent.
Background: Democrat Mark Poloncarz first ran for Erie County executive in 2011, defeating Republican incumbent Chris Collins. This year, Poloncarz defeated Republican Assemblyman Ray Walter to win his second four-year term in office.
Virginia State Senate, 29th District: SKDK client Everytown for Gun Safety supported the campaign of Democrat Jeremy McPike, who defeated Republican mayor of Manassas Hal Parrish, with 54 percent of the vote to Parrish’s 46 percent.
Background: Democrat Jeremy McPike ran on a platform of closing loopholes in background check laws to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, in contrast to Republican Hal Parrish, who was the NRA-endorsed candidate in the race.
New Jersey State Assembly: Democrats Vince Mazzeo, Herb Conaway and Troy Singleton defeated Republicans for three Assembly seats, creating the largest Democratic majority in 36 years.
Background: Democratic incumbent Vince Mazzeo of New Jersey’s 2nd Legislative District won re-election to his second term last night in what was considered one of the closest races in New Jersey. The victories of Democratic incumbents Herb Conaway and Troy Singleton of New Jersey’s 7th Legislative District gained them their 10th and third two-year terms, respectively.