Bartlett announces hiring for gubernatorial campaign

Susan Bartlett, Democratic candidate for governor, announced today that she has hired three people to work for her campaign. David Heller will serve as Bartlett’s political media consultant and handle all of her campaign advertising; Alan Secrest will serve as her campaign pollster; and John Bauer will work on message development, fundraising and data management.
“This is the beginning of the team we will build for a successful grass-roots campaign for governor, one where I will focus meeting and speaking directly with voters about my priorities – creating jobs, promoting economic development and improving our schools,” Bartlett said. “I view the campaign as a job interview. David, Alan and John will help me share my vision, credentials and strengths with the people of Vermont.”
Heller is one of the top political media consultants and campaign strategists in the Democratic Party. As president of Main Street Communications, an award-winning political consulting firm, Heller has compiled the best won-loss record among media consultants in the Democratic Party in terms of helping candidates win election to the U.S. Congress. Heller's clients have won 10 out of 13 general election open seat races for Congress. He was instrumental in the election of Gov. John Baldacci (D-Me.).
Over the years, Heller has helped elect or re-elect more than twenty-five different Members of Congress, including many from some of the nation's most Republican-leaning districts. Heller has helped elect and re-elect Members of Congress as diverse as U.S. Reps. John Olver (D-Mass.), John Lewis (D-Ga.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) and John Yarmuth (D-Ky.). ).
Handling the campaign’s polling is Alan Secrest of Cooper & Secrest Associates, one of the nation’s largest and most successful survey research firms. They have elected or reelected more than 300 Members to Congress, as well as Governors and Senators in six states.
Bauer served as Campaign Manager for Jeb Spaulding’s first election as Treasurer, winning a primary where Spaulding was out-spent 2.5 to 1. He also worked as Finance Coordinator for the Vermont Democratic House Committee, Field Director of Vermonters for Dean and as Secretary of the Vermont Democratic Party. He spent the last two years as Marketing Director for Umiak Ltd.
Bartlett says she plans to hire more people as the campaign progresses, but doesn’t see the need at this time, thanks to the support she enjoys.
“I have a smart, energetic team of advisors and volunteers,” she said. “They are doing a great job laying the groundwork for the coming primary.”
Source: Bartlett for Governor. 10.20.2009