Thomas O'Donnell

In addition to advising dozens of winning campaigns for elective office, O'Donnell has worked with numerous coalitions and organizations on issue advocacy campaigns. On issues ranging from the environment to health care to steel imports to tax policy, he has developed effective messages, innovative media and strategic campaign plans for a wide range of clients, including: Kids PAC, AFL-CIO, Washington Education Association, Emily's List, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Stand Up for Steel, Together for Health Care (coalition of doctor's, hospitals, health care workers, health plans, labor unions, consumers and businesses), California Proposition 46-2002 (housing and homeless shelter bond), California Propositions 12 and 13-2000 (parks and clean water bond), Proposition C-Missouri and Illinois-2000 (parks and clean water bond). In addition to political strategy and media, O'Donnell has advised some of the world's leading corporations, including: General Electric, AT&T, Verizon and Minor League Baseball. Prior to joining DCO, O'Donnell served as Chief of Staff to House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt for 8 years. In that position, O'Donnell managed a staff of 60 and interacted with members of Congress, the staff directors of all committees, the White House and the congressional campaign committees. As Gephardt's chief strategist, he was the field general for many of the major political and legislative battles of the 1990's. A Brooklyn native, O'Donnell worked on key House committees while earning a PhD from American University. He taught at American and at Georgetown University before moving full time to Capitol Hill. Prior to becoming Gephardt's chief of staff, he was the Issues Director and the Deputy Director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. O'Donnell is married to Caroline Fawcett and they have three children, Robert, Jake, and Catherine.