Feb 21, 2012

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel Announces 2012 IE Directors

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel today announced two battle-tested veterans of House campaigns to key appointments of the DCCC’s political team: Independent Expenditure Director and Independent Expenditure Research Director.  Additionally, Israel announced the Independent Expenditure would increase from six (6) teams to eight (8) teams to accommodate the increased number of Republican seats in play this cycle.

Travis Lowe, the current Campaign Director, will run the DCCC’s 2012 Independent Expenditure (IE) program.  Kevin McKeon, the current DCCC Research Director, will return to the IE to run the 2012 research operation.

“Travis Lowe and Kevin McKeon know the strategy and tactics to win tough campaigns.  They have the right combination of experience, political know-how and superior understanding of our races to aggressively run winning races,” said DCCC Chairman Steve Israel. “Travis and Kevin will lead an expanded IE team dealing with more than 75 races this cycle.”

Travis Lowe, Independent Expenditure Executive Director – Lowe is currently serving as the DCCC’s Campaign Director, leading the effort to recruit candidates and the DCCC’s Red to Blue program.  He has overseen one of the best recruiting efforts in DCCC history.  Lowe served as Midwest Regional Political Director during the 2010 cycle and ran Jill Long Thompson’s campaign for Indiana Governor in 2008. He previously served as a congressional campaign manager and mail consultant on dozens of campaigns.

Kevin McKeon, Independent Expenditure Research Director – McKeon is currently serving as the DCCC’s Research Director.  He has overseen the largest research operation in DCCC history.  McKeon has helped successfully lead the DCCC’s aggressive research efforts during the past two cycles, including six special elections flipping the seat from Red to Blue.  He started at the DCCC as an Analyst and during the 2008 cycle served as the committee’s Rapid Response Coordinator and later Deputy Research Director. Last cycle he directed the research of the DCCC’s Independent Expenditure campaign.  

DCCC Independent Expenditure Expansion

In past cycles, the IE had six (6) teams.  To accommodate the more than 75 races already in play and additional races that will come into play, the IE is expanding to eight (8) teams for the 2012 cycle.  This expansion will allow the political desks, researchers, and consultants greater focus on fewer races that may have multiple outside groups on the playing field.

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