WhoRunsGov

Don Stewart

Communications Director for the Senate Minority Leader (since 2006)

Why He Matters

Stewart, or "Stew," as he likes to be called, is widely considered one of the top communications directors in the Senate. He is a workaholic, who sends e-mails and press releases throughout the night and knows how to promote his boss's agenda.

Stewart joined Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) office after the 2006 elections in an attempt by McConnell, who has often shied away from the spotlight, to bolster his communications office after becoming the Republican Senate leader. Stewart was a key part of Sen. McConnell's plan to build a strategic communications center to help Republicans redefine and promote their message starting at the beginning of the 110th Congress.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Communications director Sen. John Cornyn (2003 to 2006); Deputy press secretary for Sen. Phil Gramm (2000 to 2003); Regional director for Sen. Paul Coverdell (1997 to 2000)
  • Birthday: July 3, 1967
  • Hometown: Riverside, Calif.
  • Alma Mater: Armstrong Atlantic State University, B.A. (political science), 1997
  • DC Office: 361-A Russell Senate Office Building, 202-224-2541
  • Web site
 

Path to Power

Stewart wsa born in Riverside, Calif., in 1967. He spent four years in Army intelligence before heading to college at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Ga., where he studied political science.

After graduating, he got his start in politics in the Georgia office of Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-Ga.). When Coverdell died in 2000, Stewart began working for Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas) as deputy press secretary. Three years later, Gramm retired and the man who took his place, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), made Stewart a part of his staff. It was with Cornyn that Stewart really began to make a name for himself, helping to turn a first-term senator from Texas into a go-to guy in Washington for the press, especially on judicial issues such as Supreme Court nominations.

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The Issues

Stewart's game is definitely media and message control, and he became one of Washington's best and most aggressive communication directors while working for Cornyn.

The Texas Senator was one of the more visible Republican senators though he was a first-termer. Cornyn was front and center during the confirmation hearings for President George W. Bush's Supreme Court nominations. Minutes after Justice Sandra Day O'Connor retired, Stewart released a statement from Cornyn's office praising O'Connor for her service and warning Democrats against blocking whomever the president chose to succeed her.

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The Network

Stewart has worked in McConnell's office since the start of 2007. But his job puts him in direct contact with other members of the Senate Republican leadership, including aides to Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Senate GOP Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). In particular, Stewart has strong Texas connections. Before working for McConnell, he spent three years as communications director for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and three years in the press office of Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas).

In McConnell's office, Stewart has worked alongside Chief of Staff Kyle Simmons, Simmons' deputy Sharon Soderstrom and Press Secretary Jennifer Morris.

 

Additional Resources

  1. Kyle, Victor, "The Hill People 2007: Don Stewart," National Journal
  2. Almanac of the Unelected, 2008 edition
  3. Bolton, Alexander, "McConnell prepares for top job," The Hill, June 14, 2006
  4. Billings, Erin P., "GOP leaders seek to improve inter-chamber efforts," Roll Call, Dec. 11, 2006
  5. Billings, Erin P., "McConnell builds message center," Roll Call, Dec. 5, 2006
  6. Akers, Mary Ann, "Heard on the Hill," Roll Call, July 5, 2005
  7. Almanac of the Unelected, 2008 edition
  8. "Roll Call's Fabulous 50," Roll Call, Sept. 22, 2008