Our guest is Jason Thielman, Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, where he is tasked with leading the GOP’s efforts to elect more senators in 2024. Jason served as Chief of Staff to Senator Steve Daines prior to his election as NRSC Chairman for the cycle. Jason has a background in both business and politics.
In our conversation today, Jason shares with us the strategy decisions driving the NRSC in 2024, what he thinks about the state of campaigning, and a behind the scenes look at recruiting someone to run for U.S. Senate.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Senate Landscape Requires Different Strategies
As executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Thielman explains that Senate campaigns operate under unique constraints. They often involve fewer races with higher stakes, meaning strategy must be both national in scale and locally responsive.
2. Candidate Recruitment Is a Strategic Advantage
Thielman emphasizes the importance of finding the right candidates—not just those who can raise money, but those who reflect their states and can build authentic voter connections. Strong recruitment can shape the political map before a single ad runs.
3. Adaptability is Key to Winning Close Contests
He stresses the importance of flexibility in campaign planning. With Senate races being so competitive, campaigns must be ready to pivot quickly based on shifting voter sentiment, media narratives, and opponent tactics.
4. Digital Must Be Fully Integrated, Not Siloed
Thielman highlights that successful modern campaigns tightly integrate digital efforts with field, messaging, and fundraising teams. Digital should not be treated as an isolated department, but as a central hub for voter engagement and mobilization.
5. National Trends Can Help or Hurt—Know When to Use Them
He warns that while national trends and messaging can boost a candidate, they can also backfire if not applied with sensitivity to the local electorate. A successful Senate strategy requires knowing when to ride the wave and when to localize the message.
Watch on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdzsHPQ_uNfN8r5PILc3NhQ
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