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Person

Jill Alper

Nationality:

American
Political Party:

Democratic Party
Occupation:

Political Consultant

Partner, Dewey Square Group

Former Political Director, Democratic National Committee

Former Coordinated Campaign Director, Democratic National Committee (1994-1998)
Associated Organizations:

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

EMILY’s List (Campaign Training)

Hillary Clinton for President, 2008

Al Gore for President, 2000

Bill Clinton/Al Gore for President, 1996

Jill Alper is a top Democratic strategist 1 who has worked on seven presidential campaigns 2 including as the national electoral strategist for the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Al Gore, and Hillary Clinton. 3 She is also the former political director of the Democratic National Committee. 4

Alper was one of handful of strategists who were tapped by Democratic leaders in 2000 to oversee Florida’s recount of the 2000 presidential election results in that state. 5

In 2015, Alper and her husband David Katz hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton at their Grosse Pointe, Michigan home where the highest-priced tickets were $50,000 and included a special reception with Hillary Clinton. 6 In 2016, Alper was a member of the Democratic National Committee and was a superdelegate endorsing Hillary Clinton. 7

The nonprofit Center for Michigan publication Bridge Michigan linked Alper to a 2020 voter turnout campaign—described by a Democrat as “creepy”—in which mailings warned citizens they would be contacted about whether they voted. 8

In 2020, Alper’s firm Alper Strategies and Media received more than $2 million in funding that was traced to a grantmaking initiative funded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for an ostensibly non-partisan voter education campaign. 9

Background

Alper graduated from Boston College in 1987. 10 Alper is married to David Katz, who was chief of staff in Wayne County, Michigan, 11 and the former campaign manager for Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm (D). 12

Career

At the age of 23, Alper was a field representative in Florida in 1988 for Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. 13

She was a partner at Dewey Square Group in Boston from 2001 to 2017 and was described by the Boston Globe as a top “lieutenant” 14 at the political consulting firm, which also worked with businesses and trade associations. 15 The Dewey Square Group includes high-level Democratic Party strategists, according to the Tampa Tribune. 16

In 2017, she founded Alper Strategies and Media, 17 which works out of suburban Detroit. 18

Frequent Media Source

With John Truscott, a former aide to Michigan Governor John Engler (R), Alper co-authored a political column by the Detroit Free Press in 2010 to 2012. 19 She has been quoted by national newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times, 20 the New York Times, 21 and the Washington Post. 22

Controversies

From 2016 to 2020, Alper was involved in a series of controversies involving herself or her public relations firm:

Interview with Mark Halperin

In 2019, Washingtonian reported Alper gave an interview to former MSNBC political analyst Mark Halperin for his book on President Donald Trump. 23 Halperin was fired from his MSNBC political analyst position in 2017 after 14 women accused him of unwanted sexual advances, according to Mother Jones. 24 The book was described by Washingtonian as a way for Halperin to salvage his reputation amid the sexual harassment controversy. 25 Alper said in 2019 she regretted talking to Halperin as a source for his 2019 book How To Beat Trump and their discussion focused only on how the Democrats could beat Trump. 26

Linked to “Mail Shaming” Campaign

In 2020, Bridge Michigan linked Alper to a “mail shaming” voter turnout campaign. 27 The Voter Participation Center and the Center for Voter Information participated in “social pressure” mailings that stated that voting is a matter of public record and stated after the election “local organizations may follow up with you on your voting record.” 28

Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, a Democrat, called the practice “creepy” and said the campaign was trying to shame voters. 29 Bridge Michigan reported that Alper was on the board of the Voter Participation Center. 30

Voter Education Campaign

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the grantmaking brand of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan, gave a $69.5 million grant to the Center for Election Innovation and Research to provide “non-partisan voter information” as well as to promote safe and reliable voting, according to its website. 31

The Michigan Center for Election Law and Administration then received grant money from the Center for Election Innovation and Research, according to Michigan Radio. 32 It then gave Alper Strategies $2,088,000 in 2020, 33purportedly for non-partisan voting education efforts. 34

Ned Staebler, who is treasurer of the Michigan Center for Election Law and Administration, ran as a Democrat for the Michigan House of Representatives in 2010 and was defeated in the primary. 35

Undermining Obamacare

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Alper both worked as a strategist for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D) — who had praised the Affordable Care Act 36 — while also working as a partner with Dewey Square Group, which was working for business interests trying to undermine Obamacare, according to left-wing website The Intercept. 37

Failed Ballot Initiative

Alper was a strategist for the Protect Our Jobs Amendment in Michigan. 38 The 2012 ballot proposal would have prevented future state legislatures from changing laws related to unionization and guaranteed a number of union privileges in the state constitution. 39 The ballot proposal was rejected by 57 to 42 percent in 2012. 40

References

  1. Associated Press. Jan. 22, 2004. “Democratic Candidates Regroup For N.H.” Accessed 9/17/2021.
  2. Alper Strategies & Media website. Accessed 9/19/2021. https://www.alperstrategies.com/about
  3. Maggie Haberman. “Hillary Clinton’s Shadow Campaign.” Politico. Jan. 5, 2014. Accessed 9/17/2021. https://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/hillary-clinton-2016-shadow-campaign-101762
  4. Ron Fournier. “Demo Fat Cats Are Stroked To Refill Party’s Kitty.” Associated Press. June 12, 1997.  Accessed Sept. 17, 2021.
  5. Ron Fournier. “Demo Fat Cats Are Stroked To Refill Party’s Kitty.” Associated Press. June 12, 1997.  Accessed Sept. 17, 2021.
  6. Frank Witsil. “Clinton Voices Support For Small Business In Detroit.” Detroit Free Press. July 21, 2015. Accessed Sept. 19, 2021. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/07/21/clinton-voices-support-small-business-detroit/30494645/
  7. Lev Facher. “Who Are Michigan’s 17 Superdelegates, And Which Candidate Are They Supporting?” Michigan Public Radio. June 8, 2016. Accessed Sept. 19, 2021. https://www.michiganradio.org/politics-government/2016-06-08/who-are-michigans-17-superdelegates-and-which-candidate-are-they-supporting
  8. Jonathan Oosting. “Liberal Groups Bury Michigan With Mail Shaming People To Vote. Many Hate It.” Bridge Michigan. Oct. 26, 2020. Accessed Sept. 16, 2021. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/liberal-groups-bury-michigan-mail-shaming-people-vote-many-hate-it
  9. Grants. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Accessed Sept. 16, 2021. https://chanzuckerberg.com/grants-ventures/grants/
  10. JillAlper.com website. Accessed Sept. 21, 2021. http://jillalper.com/
  11. Matt Helms. “Security Breach Delays Metro Flights For Hours.” Detroit Free Press. Jan. 9, 1998. Accessed Sept. 17, 2021.
  12. Cameron McWhirter. “The Class Of ’88 Grows Up.” Detroit Free Press. Nov. 24, 2002. Accessed Sept. 17, 2021.
  13. Judi Hasson and Phil Fernandez. “Polls Show Democrats Each Leading South; Bush Is Ahead.” Fort Myers News-Press. March 4, 1988. Accessed Sept. 19, 2021.
  14. [1] Glen Johnson. “Eyes On ’04, Kerry Tightens Inner Circle.” Boston Globe. Dec. 3, 2001. Accessed Sept. 19, 2021.
  15. Glen Johnson. “Dewey Square Quietly Flexes Its Political Muscle.” Boston Globe. July 28, 2004. Accessed Sept. 19, 2021.
  16. William March. “Campaigns Focus On Voter Turnout.” Tampa Tribune. Oct. 31, 2002. Accessed Sept. 19, 2021.
  17. Ballotpedia. Accessed Sept. 20, 2021. https://ballotpedia.org/Jill_Alper
  18. Alper Strategies & Media website. Accessed Sept. 19, 2021. https://www.alperstrategies.com/about
  19. Jill Alper and John Truscott. “Enjoy Inaugural; What Follows May Not Be Pretty.” Detroit Free Press. Jan. 13, 2013. Accessed Sept. 13, 2021.
  20. Janet Hook. “News Analysis:  Biden Preps To Be President As Trump Fights For The Job He Is Ignoring.” Los Angeles Times. Nov. 22, 2020. Accessed Sept. 17, 2021. https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-11-22/split-screen-biden-preps-to-be-president-trump-fights-to-keep-the-job-yet-doesnt-do-it
  21. Sydney Ember. “Bernie Sanders Had Heart Attack, His Doctors Say As He Leaves Hospital.” New York Times. Oct. 4, 2019. Accessed Sept. 17, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/04/us/politics/bernie-sanders-hospital.html
  22. Washington Post. March 7, 2020. “For Bernie Sanders, Michigan Is Now The Make-Or-Break State”; https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/for-bernie-sanders-michigan-is-now-the-make-or-break-state/2020/03/07/70956512-6077-11ea-b29b-9db42f7803a7_story.html
  23. Andrew Beaujon. “Should People Apologize For Talking To Mark Halperin.” Washingtonian. Aug. 23, 2019. Accessed Sept. 15, 2021. https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/08/23/should-people-apologize-for-talking-to-mark-halperin/
  24.  Madison Pauly. “Disgraced Pundit Mark Halperin Resurfaces On Super-Trumpy Newsmax TV.” Mother Jones. Nov. 30, 2020. https://www.motherjones.com/media/2020/11/mark-halperin-newsmax/
  25. Andrew Beaujon. “Should People Apologize For Talking To Mark Halperin.” Washingtonian. Aug. 23, 2019. Accessed Sept. 15, 2021. https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/08/23/should-people-apologize-for-talking-to-mark-halperin/
  26. Andrew Beaujon. “Should People Apologize For Talking To Mark Halperin.” Washingtonian. Aug. 23, 2019. Accessed Sept. 15, 2021. https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/08/23/should-people-apologize-for-talking-to-mark-halperin/
  27. Jonathan Oosting. “Liberal Groups Bury Michigan With Mail Shaming People To Vote. Many Hate It.” Bridge Michigan. Oct. 26, 2020. Accessed Sept. 16, 2021. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/liberal-groups-bury-michigan-mail-shaming-people-vote-many-hate-it
  28. Jonathan Oosting. “Liberal Groups Bury Michigan With Mail Shaming People To Vote. Many Hate It.” Bridge Michigan. Oct. 26, 2020. Accessed Sept. 16, 2021. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/liberal-groups-bury-michigan-mail-shaming-people-vote-many-hate-it
  29. Jonathan Oosting. “Liberal Groups Bury Michigan With Mail Shaming People To Vote. Many Hate It.” Bridge Michigan. Oct. 26, 2020. Accessed Sept. 16, 2021. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/liberal-groups-bury-michigan-mail-shaming-people-vote-many-hate-it
  30. Jonathan Oosting. “Liberal Groups Bury Michigan With Mail Shaming People To Vote. Many Hate It.” Bridge Michigan. Oct. 26, 2020. Accessed Sept. 16, 2021. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/liberal-groups-bury-michigan-mail-shaming-people-vote-many-hate-it
  31. Grants. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Accessed Sept. 16, 2021. https://chanzuckerberg.com/grants-ventures/grants/
  32. Tracy Samilton. “New Campaign Will Educate Citizens, Especially First-Time Voters, How To Vote.” Michigan Radio. Oct. 11, 2020. Accessed Sept. 16, 2021. https://www.michiganradio.org/law/2020-10-11/new-campaign-will-educate-citizens-especially-first-time-voters-how-to-vote
  33. Michigan Center for Election Law and Administration, Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Section B. https://filing-service.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/scanned-pdfs/202012/263393063/18363873/263393063_202012_990_2021052418178365.pdf
  34. Michigan Center for Election Law And Administration, Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Part I. https://filing-service.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/scanned-pdfs/202012/263393063/18363873/263393063_202012_990_2021052418178365.pdf
  35. Ned Staebler. Ballotpedia. Accessed Sept. 16, 2021. https://ballotpedia.org/Ned_Staebler
  36. Lee Fang. “Top Hillary Clinton Advisers And Fundraisers Lobbied Against Obamacare And Dodd-Frank.” The Intercept. Feb. 8, 2016. Accessed Sept. 15, 2021. https://theintercept.com/2016/02/08/hrc-inner-circle-lobbyists/
  37. Lee Fang. “Top Hillary Clinton Advisers And Fundraisers Lobbied Against Obamacare And Dodd-Frank.” The Intercept. Feb. 8, 2016. Accessed Sept. 15, 2021. https://theintercept.com/2016/02/08/hrc-inner-circle-lobbyists/
  38. [1] Jill Alper and John Truscott. “Are People Or Politics Behind Ballot Initiatives.” Detroit Free Press. April 29, 2012. Accessed Sept. 13, 2021.
  39. “Trump Names Two Michiganians To Labor Panel.” Detroit News. July 20, 2017. Accessed Sept. 15, 2021. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/20/michigan-labor-panel/103875744/
  40. “Michigan ‘Protect Our Jobs’ Amendment, Proposal 2 (2012).” Ballotpedia. Accessed 9/13/2021. https://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_%22Protect_Our_Jobs%22_Amendment,_Proposal_2_(2012)
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