Nick Ayers

Nick Ayers
Chief of Staff to the Vice President

James Nicholas Ayers (born August 16, 1982) is an American lobbyist and political consultant who served as Chief of Staff to Vice President Mike Pence between July 2017 and January 2019. He had previously served as national chairman for Pence's vice-presidential campaign in 2016, and as the former executive director of the Republican Governors Association from 2007 to 2010.

In 2010, Ayers was named as one of Time's 40 most influential people in politics under the age of 40.1 He also was principal of the lobbying firm C5 Creative Consulting,2 and is one of four leading figures in America First Policies, a pro-Trump nonprofit organization founded in January 2017.3 From November 2016 to January 2017, Ayers was a senior adviser to President-elect Donald Trump's transition team.4

In December 2018, multiple news organizations described him as a leading contender to succeed John F. Kelly as White House Chief of Staff, but he decided not to take the job.5 In addition, Ayers also stated that he would leave the Trump Administration by the end of the year.6

Early life and education

Ayers grew up in southern Cobb County, Georgia. In an interview with The New Republic in 2009, Ayers said his parents instilled in him a respect for public service from an early age; he recalled that in 1992, his parents voted for Bill Clinton and Ross Perot. Ayers described himself as being rather taken with President Clinton and then-Governor Zell Miller, a Democrat, in the 1990s.7

Ayers graduated from South Cobb High School in 2000.8 He then went on to study at Kennesaw State University, where he eventually earned his B.A. in political science in 2009.9 Ayers also studied international and government affairs at the University of Surrey in Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom. 10

Career in politics

College activism in Georgia and first campaign, 2001–2003

While studying for his undergraduate degree, Ayers joined the College Republicans, becoming president of the school's chapter. During this time, he met Sonny Perdue, who at the time was planning to run for Governor. Ayers joined Perdue's campaign as a teenage body man for the Republican state senator, taking time off from Kennesaw State University. He initially went to school with the goal of becoming a banker, but his role with Perdue – part assistant, part adviser, part protégé – convinced him to launch a career in politics. "I had no interest in joining the campaign. I had my career planned out. I truly did not believe Governor Roy Barnes could be beat at the time", Ayers said. "After 10 minutes of talking to Sonny, I was one hundred percent confident he was the right person to run this state."11

In 2002, Perdue was successful in unseating Democratic incumbent Roy Barnes, making him the first Republican governor of Georgia since Reconstruction.12131415

"When we won, I had the option of basically being the senior adviser to a governor or a freshman in college", Ayers said later. "I chose the gubernatorial post." Studying nights and weekends, he worked on his college diploma over the next seven years, finally earning his Bachelor's in 2009.16

Perdue re-election campaign, 2004–2006

In 2004 at age 22, Ayers was named manager of Perdue's re-election committee. He was cited as one of the Republican Party's five "fastest rising stars in the nation" by the Atlanta Journal Constitution along with then-Louisiana Congressman Bobby Jindal.17 Two years later, Perdue was re-elected by a 20-point margin (in an otherwise Democratic year), with Ayers having served as manager for the entire campaign.18

On October 25, 2006—days before the election—Ayers was stopped by the Georgia State Patrol for failure to maintain his lane, driving 50 mph in a 35-mph zone, and suspicion of drunk driving. Ayers himself admitted to consuming "a strong Jack (Daniels) and Coke", subsequently failed the field-sobriety test, and repeatedly refused to take a breathalyzer. He was cited for DUI; the charges were later reduced to reckless driving.19

Republican Governors Association, 2007–2010

Perdue was elected to a one-year stint as Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, and he named Ayers as Executive Director and his longtime associate, Paul Bennecke, as Political Director (later given the additional title of Deputy Executive Director).20 The two young Georgians conceived an unprecedented four-year plan to professionalize the committee's operation and implement a long-range strategy, leading up to the 2010 midterm elections, when 37 Governors would be elected.21

Their plan was accepted by the Governors, and Ayers and Bennecke served through four gubernatorial cycles encompassing all 50 states.22 At the beginning, Republicans were reeling from a terrible 2006 cycle, and held only 22 statehouses. When they left in early 2011, the GOP held 29 Governorships, a net gain of seven (including Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Virginia).

When Ayers began his tenure, the RGA was a relatively spartan operation with a budget of $20 million, and a low national profile. By the time his tenure was over, the Governors had increased their operating budget to $135 million and the distinction of being the largest political action committee in 2010. This success led to Ayers quickly being labeled as a rising star and a political wunderkind.23

RNC and Priebus, 2010–2011

In November 2010, in the flush of RGA's victories, Ayers was widely touted as a potential replacement for Michael Steele as Chairman of the Republican National Committee.24 However, he declined to seek the position, and instead assisted Reince Priebus of Wisconsin, the RNC's Treasurer, in his campaign. Ayers's work was interpreted as a de facto endorsement of Priebus (and rejection of Steele) by the GOP governors, several of whom reportedly instructed their RNC members to support the insurgent.25

Following Priebus's election, Ayers agreed to serve with Ed Gillespie as the two leaders of the transition team for the RNC.26 The Washington Times reported in 2012 that the two "quickly made drastic cuts to the staff and overhead and undertook a thoughtful strategic analysis to forge a path forward. Together, they convinced top staffers to come to the RNC."27

State and national consulting, 2011–2016

After leaving the governors association, Ayers in March 2011 joined Target Enterprises, an ad-buying firm.28

In June 2011, Ayers took a five-month hiatus to serve as the campaign manager for the presidential bid of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.29 Ayers was reportedly courted by four other campaigns, and Pawlenty called him "without question one of the best political talents in America."30 However, after a major effort, Pawlenty failed to show well in early debates, lost the Iowa Straw Poll in September 2011, and quickly withdrew from the race, with a half-million-dollar debt. Ayers shouldered the blame: "I believe a campaign manager before, during, and after a campaign should accept responsibility and keep their mouth closed. So while there are always two sides to a story, mine won't be one of them."31

After Pawlenty, Ayers resumed his duties as partner at Target.32

He started the lobbying firm C5 Creative Consulting.33

He created the firm Advance Media Capital in 2015.34 The firm bought air-time on TV stations in swing states months prior to the 2016 election, and then sough to sell this airtime to PACs close to election day.35 The firm was dissolved in 2017.36

He returned to gubernatorial politics in 2013, when he recruited, and served as general consultant for, Bruce Rauner and his campaign in Illinois. The millionaire businessman was eventually elected, winning a contested primary with 40.1% and defeating incumbent Pat Quinn with 50.3% in November 2014. Rauner was the first Republican to win the Illinois governorship in 12 years, and the first political outsider in modern memory.37 Ayers also led independent SuperPAC, Arkansas Horizon, efforts to help elect Tom Cotton of Arkansas38 and David Perdue of Georgia39 to the U.S. Senate in November 2014.40

In late 2014, Ayers sold his interest in Target Enterprises and focused his efforts on political management (through C5 Creative Consulting)41 and investments (through Ayers Family Holdings42). The Wall Street Journal and Wisconsin Watchdog revealed in October 2015 that the "John Doe" probe of pro-Scott Walker groups and individuals from 2011–12, later deemed an unconstitutional invasion of privacy, had targeted Ayers's emails.43

In 2016, he was involved as a strategist in several races, including that of Governor Mike Pence for re-election in Indiana44 and Eric Greitens for Governor of Missouri.4546 When Pence abandoned his re-election campaign upon being designated as Vice-Presidential nominee, Ayers served as a leading strategist for his replacement, Eric Holcomb. Ayers was also linked in May 2016 reports of billionaire Sheldon Adelson's plans to form a pro-Donald Trump SuperPAC for the fall presidential campaign.47

Pence-for-VP Chairman, 2016

Ayers was the first Pence operative to whom Trump's team reached out, to begin the Vice-Presidential vetting process, and handled negotiations between the Indiana Governor and Trump. Within two weeks, Pence was named to the national ticket, and Ayers was named to chair the Pence effort, serving as a volunteer.4849 (Trump campaign releases and some news stories used the title "Senior Adviser",50 but Ayers had the primary role in Pence's campaign.[citation needed])

Ayers, Marc Short, and Josh Pitock formed the core team that prepared Pence for the July convention speech and the October Vice Presidential debate.51

Transition and post-election activities

After the election, Ayers was named as a senior adviser to the Presidential Transition, part of the group replacing the earlier team headed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.52 Again, as after the 2010 election, Ayers's name was prominently mentioned as a candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee.5354 Ayers made the final cut, with strong backing from Pence and presidential adviser Steve Bannon,55 but ended runner-up to Michigan's Ronna Romney McDaniel.

In January 2017, Ayers and three other Trump-Pence aides were named as principals of America First Policies, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to defending the Administration's policies.56

Ayers was seen as playing an influential role in advising Trump to name two Georgians—Sonny Perdue and Congressman Tom Price—to the Cabinet.57 "Georgia walks away with two of the most consequential Cabinet secretaries who happen to be the two most qualified for the job," said Ayers. "It's a testament to the president's extraordinary decision making and his appreciation to Georgia."

In March 2017, BuzzFeed reported that Ayers was a major investor in Independent Journal Review, a news website geared to young conservatives, with phenomenal growth in recent years.58 Ayers does not exercise any editorial control over the site's content, it was reported.59 Ayers Family Holdings also provides seed capital to Georgia-based startups in the healthcare and technology industry, and reportedly has invested millions nationally in technology, financial services, and healthcare products.60

Holmsted, LLC, another private Ayers firm, was founded in 2014 and invested millions in Georgia forestry and pecans.61

Chief of Staff to the Vice President, 2017–present

On June 29, 2017, it was announced that Ayers would begin serving as Vice President Mike Pence's Chief of Staff.62 and he assumed office on July 28, 2017, replacing Josh Pitcock.63 Ayers announced he would depart the Trump-Pence administration at the end of 2018, in a Tweet on December 9, 2018.64

Personal life

Ayers lives in Atlanta with his wife Jamie (née Floyd), a former schoolteacher from Houston County, Georgia. They were married in May 2005. Mrs. Ayers is a second cousin of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue.65 The Ayerses have triplets, born in December 2012.66

He serves on the board of directors (and is currently board secretary) of Leading the Way, an international Christian ministry, headed by Michael Youssef whose estimated worth is $5 million.67

According to his financial disclosure reports, Ayers' net worth is between $12 million and $54 million.6869 He owns farmland in Georgia worth between $2.5 million and $11 million.70

References

1	40 Under 40, 14 October 2010. LINK
2,37,41	Miller, Rich, Capitol Fax Blog July 29, 2014, "Was Rauner consultant behind anti-Schock ads?".
3,56	Gold, Matea. Trump allies launch nonprofit to support the administration's agenda, The Washington Post, January 30, 2017. LINK
4	The White House, at The White House. LINK
5	Samuels, Brett. Pence aide Ayers will not be White House chief of staff, at TheHill, 9 December 2018. LINK
6	Miles, Frank. Nick Ayers, considered candidate for White House chief of staff, 'departing' at year's end, at Fox News, 9 December 2018, accessed 11 December 2018. LINK
7,13,22	, Amanda. He Hasn't Lost Anything Yet, The New Republic, November 2, 2009. LINK
8	Howard, Marcus E.. Cobb native becomes power player in D.C., Marietta Daily Journal, August 16, 2010. LINK
9,12,65	Horwitz, Jason. Young Nick Ayers has full-grown plans for a Republican return to the White House, The Washington Post, April 27, 2010. LINK
10,17	Perdue Announces Campaign Team: Nick Ayers – Campaign Manager, April 12, 2006. LINK
11	Bluestein, Greg. The aide who helped Sonny Perdue land a Cabinet spot, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 24, 2017. LINK
14	Power Player of the Week: Nick Ayers, at Fox News Channel, September 26, 2010. LINK
15	Perdue greets the people, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Perdue trusted 19-year-old Nick Ayers to keep him on schedule during the campaign. It was a heady experience for a teenager ...", January 13, 2003. LINK
16	Diaz, Kevin et al. A 'natural' hired to run Pawlenty campaign, Minneapolis Star Tribune, April 12, 2011. LINK
18	Perdue campaign manager to lead RGA, Atlanta Business Chronicle, December 1, 2006. LINK
19	Watch Nick Ayers, Tim Pawlenty's presidential campaign manager, get arrested for DWI, May 18, 2011. LINK
20	Mahoney, Ryan. Perdue campaign manager to lead RGA, Atlanta Business Chronicle, December 1, 2006. LINK
21	Four-year RGA plan referenced by Gov. Rick Perry, at POLITICO, November 12, 2010. LINK
23,32	Costa, Robert. Pawlenty’s Ace, April 12, 2011. LINK
24	, Juli. Is Heartthrob Nick Ayers Man Enough to Replace Michael Steele?, Vanity Fair, November 18, 2010. LINK
25	, Reid. Next RNC Chairman Will Inherit an Organization in Crisis, National Journal, January 5, 2011.
26	Cummings, Jeanne. RNC picks rainmakers to tackle debt, January 28, 2011. LINK
27	, Matt. Republicans' secret weapon against Obama – Revitalized RNC has the cash and staff to trigger elephant stampede, Washington Times, April 11, 2012.
28,33,34,35,36,69,70	Vogel, Kenneth P. et al. Nick Ayers Is Rising Fast in Trump’s Washington. How Far Will He Go?, 21 November 2018. LINK
29	Fabian, Jordan. Pawlenty Taps Campaign Manager, The Hill, April 11, 2011. LINK
30	Demko, Paul. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty hires Ayers to run presidential campaign, St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report, April 11, 2011.
31	Daily Caller, September 13, 2011, quoted in The Hotline, September 14, 2011, "Clearing the Ayers".
38	Choma, Russ, OpenSecrets Blog, February 26, 2015, "Another Link in Ohio Dark Money".
39	Malloy, Daniel, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 30, 2014, "BLOG: Political Insider: On Super PACs, 'firewalls', Nick Ayers and David Perdue".
40	Wilson, Reid. READ IN: Tuesday, July 29, 2014: VA bill to pass, Christie’s pension reform has tough road, Ark. DCCC makes big bucks off impeachment talk, and D.C.’s shutdown baby boom, The Washington Post, July 29, 2014. LINK
42	Ayers Family Holdings, LLC - Atlanta, GA, at www.ishcc.org. LINK
43	Kittle, M.D.. EXCLUSIVE: Wisconsin Senate majority leader, others also targeted in John Doe, at Wisconsin Reporter, October 29, 2015. LINK
44,48	Rucker, Philip et al. Mike Pence integrates longtime advisers with Trump campaign, The Washington Post, July 16, 2016. LINK
45	Greitens pal and 'dark money' expert both involved in record donation, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 26, 2016. LINK
46,63,68	Ward, Vicky. Mike Pence's Man in the Swamp, The Huffington Post. LINK
47	Richter, Greg. Sheldon Adelson Staff Working to Form Pro-Trump Super PAC, at Newsmax.com, May 31, 2016. LINK
49	Sweet, Lynn. Calm Pence doesn't take Kaine's bait, coolly defends Trump, Chicago Sun-Times, October 5, 2016.
50	Campaign press release, thru Targeted News Service, July 16, 2016, "Trump Campaign Announces Expansion of Political Team".
51	Erin Burnett Outfront, CNN, October 4, 2016, "New Details on Mike Pence's Debate Strategy"; also in Freak Out Nation (blog), September 17, 2016, "Scott Walker playing Tim Kaine in debate prep".
52	Bluestein, Greg. Two Georgians given roles in Trump transition Newt Gingrich, Nick Ayers on team for president-elect, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 12, 2016.
53	Hohmann, James. The Daily 202: Obama in a state of denial about Trump, as Democrats work through the stages of grief, The Washington Post, November 15, 2016. LINK
54	Georgian may replace Priebus in top GOP job Strategist Nick Ayers may chair party; Perdue to stay put, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 3, 2016.
55	, Abigail. Steve Bannon's "Populist Uprising" Hits A Speed Bump, Vanity Fair, December 9, 2016. LINK
57	Bluestein, Greg. Donald Trump taps Sonny Perdue as his agriculture chief, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 19, 2017.
58	These Were the Biggest Election Day Publishers on Facebook, Newswhip, November 2016. LINK
59	A Top Adviser To Mike Pence Is An Investor In Favored Media Outlet. LINK
60	Corps, Georgia. Ayers Family Holdings, Llc, at Georgia Corps. LINK
61	Holmsted Atlanta, GA, 30327, at manta.com. LINK
62	CNN, Elizabeth Landers. Pence replaces his chief of staff, at CNN. LINK
64	Ayers, Nick. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause. #Georgia, 9 December 2018, accessed 11 December 2018. LINK
66	Galloway, Jim. BLOG: Political Insider: Your daily jolt: In Georgia, congressional Republicans split, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 2, 2013. LINK
67	FY 2016 Annual Report of Leading the Way Ministries, p. 22, accessed thru

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN