Winning campaigns have a media message that matches the heart of the candidate. There are no shortcuts in this work, and we work hard to know our candidates, their communities and their vision for a brighter future. It is through close relationships with our candidates that we create TV, radio, digital campaigns that tell the story – and win.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland

Deb Haaland made history in 2018 when she became one of the first Native American women ever elected to Congress. Faced with nearly $2 million in outside money and a self-funded opponent during the primary, we helped build Deb’s grassroots campaign with compelling ads about her personal story of fierce perseverance and determination. We worked for the Congresswoman’s decisive re-election victory in 2020, as she continues to break barriers and make her mark as a progressive champion.  She is now the first Native American Cabinet Secretary in US history.

Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury

In the hotly contested special election to fill Secretary Deb Haaland’s open congressional seat – the first since the 2020 elections – Democrats had 60 days to beat the most serious Republican candidate the district had seen in over a decade. All eyes were on NM-01, with a narrow House majority and President Joe Biden’s legislative agenda on the line.

Melanie Stansbury, a science professional with deep Albuquerque roots, turned to McKenna Media to deliver that victory. Faced with a one-note line of attack on crime, we made sure voters knew Melanie’s strong record on law enforcement to quickly debunk the falsehood. But we went a step further. We made President Biden’s accomplishments front and center throughout the campaign, positioning Stansbury as a champion that would work alongside the president to deliver for New Mexico, and Moores as a hypocrite who personally benefited from the Biden American Rescue Plan but opposed any help for families.

Stansbury won the seat by 25 points, in what White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki noted the next day was the first time in over 100 years that a special election was won by a larger margin than their party had received in the general election.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Before the whole country got to know Mayor Pete, we worked on his mayoral campaigns in 2011 and 2015, helping him become the nation’s youngest mayor of a mid-size city.  He is now US Transportation Secretary.

Congresswoman Linda Sánchez

A tireless advocate for working families, California Congresswoman Linda Sánchez is a leader in Congress and an avid sports fan and advocate.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens

Haley Stevens turned a red district blue in suburban Detroit and ushered in a new generation of leadership in the U.S. Congress. After making her winning ads in 2018, we kept this competitive seat blue in 2020 by focusing on the Congresswoman’s innovative efforts to help Michigan manufacturers respond to the coronavirus crisis.

Councilwoman Ruthzee Louijeune

The daughter of Haitian immigrants and a rising star in Boston politics, Ruthzee Louijeune turned to McKenna Media for her history-making win for Boston City Council At-Large. Louijeune is now the highest-ranking Black woman elected official in Boston city government and the first Haitian-American to represent Boston in the City Council.

Mayor Joyce Craig

In 2017 Mayor Joyce Craig became the first woman mayor ever in Manchester, NH and the first Democratic mayor in nearly 15 years. She has since established herself as one of the most effective and hard working public servants in New Hampshire. McKenna Media has been proud to help Mayor Craig win commanding victories in 2017, 2019 and again in 2021.

Abdul El-Sayed

When a 33 year old first-generation Muslim doctor and former leader of Detroit’s health department announced his run for governor, the pundits dismissed the notion he could be a serious contender for Michigan’s highest office. Abdul El-Sayed proved them wrong, and has since emerged as a leading progressive voice.