The Giuliani for President campaign is treading on some new ground. While campaign fundraising is an integral (and essential) component of any national campaign for the White House, there is still a natural tendency to ‘wall off’ the fundraising arm of a campaign from the political side. The notion typically is that that fundraising brings IN the resources, and political SPENDS the resources. Well, yesterday Rudolph Giuliani tapped a Californian as a Deputy Campaign Manager, someone who will ‘bridge the gap’ between the finance and political operations.
Ann Dunsmore (pictured to the right) has had a successful career spanning nearly three decades in the world of political (and non-profit) fundraising. Her company, Capitol Campaigns, has a national reputation for their ability to separate donors from their cash on behalf their clients. With offices around California, but also in Manhattan, Ann has built up a business based on a consistent ability to achieve results.
I spent many years working for Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona, and he would often comment on how the one quantifiable part of politics is the fundraising. As he likes to say, "A donor either gives or they don’t — and then you know for certain if they support you."
Sheriff Carona is just one happy client of Ann, whose firm spearheaded the raising of a better part of a million dollars at one gala dinner for the Sheriff’s last (successful) re-election.
Anyways, Ann’s efforts have literally raised over $2 BILLION dollars for candidates and causes since she has gotten into the business, and her coming onboard with the Giuliani campaign is a real coup for the former New York Mayor.
In her role as Deputy Campaign Manager, Dunsmore will be at the apex of where the national fundraising efforts of the campaign meet the strategic and tactical political operations of the campaign – which I think will add a valuable and important perspective to the mix.
I have been personal friends with Ann for many years, and she has a lot to bring to the table in terms of political strategy. Actually, she probably has been a part of more campaigns (from the finance side) than virtually anyone else involved with Giuliani’s efforts.
This morning I caught up to Katie Levinson, who is a senior advisor to the Giuliani campaign (Katie was most recently the Communications Director for Governor Schwarzenegger’s campaign last year). When I asked her to comment on Dunsmore’s new role she told me, “Ann will be a tremendous asset to our growing campaign in California and across the country. Her track record speaks for itself and we are thrilled to have her on board.”
I spoke with Ann last night, and needless to say she is really excited and jazzed about this opportunity. Ann and I spoke at length, and she has a lot of great ideas to bring forward as she oversees a pretty large and complex national fundraising operation.
"Rudy Giuliani and his team have opened their arms to my experience as a fundraising technician – and I appreciate their confidence and their support," Dunsmore told me. "I have known and respected many of these people for some time – I look forward to exercising and developing every ounce of my skill and expertise on behalf of this extraordinary candidate and his brilliant team."
Dunsmore’s clientele on the political side has been varied and the list is extensive. But highlights include the Republican National Committee, both of George W. Bush’s presidential campaigns and the first inaugural, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Progress for America and the Republican Governor’s Association.
Congratulations to you, Ann, for being named to this important position. And, of course, kudos to Mayor Giuliani for the outstanding pick. And for those of us in California, it’s great to have another Golden State politico in the upper echelons of Team Rudy.
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