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Alan Cobb
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| Alan Cobb | |||
 | |||
| Basic facts | |||
| Organization: | The Kansas Chamber of Commerce | ||
| Role: | President and CEO | ||
| Location: | Wichita, Kan. | ||
| Affiliation: | Republican | ||
| Education: | •Wichita State University •University of Pennsylvania •Washburn University | ||
| |||
Alan Cobb is a Republican political consultant based in Wichita, Kansas. As of June 2017, he was the president and CEO of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.[1]
Cobb was the director of coalitions for Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, and in 2017 was a Republican special election candidate who sought election to the 4th Congressional District of Kansas.[2][3]
Career
Early career
Alan Cobb grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where he graduated from Wichita State University. Cobb received a master's degree in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. After earning his law degree, Cobb began working in the private sector as a public affairs consultant.
In 1996, he served as the deputy state director in Kansas for Bob Dole's presidential campaign. In the memo announcing Cobb's hiring, the Dole campaign stated, "A specialist in health care and business issues, Cobb has consulted state legislators on health, insurance, business and tax legislation."[4] Cobb's chief role in Kansas was to work in constituent outreach, holding open forums to discuss public affairs in the state.[5] Cobb also served as Dole's Deputy State Director on his Senate staff. He also worked as Sheila Fraham's Deputy State Director after she was appointed to replace Senator dole.[6]
His most notable early private sector role was in Kansas government affairs for Koch Industries in Wichita.[7] In addition, Cobb was the campaign manager for Tim Shallenburger's 2002 Kansas gubernatorial race and served as an aide to U.S. Sen. Sheila Frahm (R-Kan.).[8]
Americans for Prosperity
- See also: Americans for Prosperity
From 2004 to 2009, Cobb served as the Kansas state director for Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization focused on limited government. Cobb founded the group's Kansas chapter.[8] In 2009, Cobb was promoted to vice president, a role he served until 2012.[9]
Freedom Partners
- See also: Freedom Partners
Cobb was Vice President of Freedom Partners from 2012-2014.[6]
Kansas Chamber of Commerce
In March 2017, Cobb joined the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, a business advocacy organization, as the organization's president and CEO. In that role, he has written guest commentary pieces for Kansas newspapers, including The Kansas City Star.[10]
Political activity
| More on Donald Trump's 2016 campaign staff |
|---|
| Staff overview |
| • Trump staff overview |
Management and strategy |
|
•Steve Bannon, Executive chairman |
Communications |
|
•Hope Hicks, Communications director |
Advisors |
|
•Roger Stone, Informal advisor |
Kansas special election, 2017
Cobb sought election to the 4th Congressional District of Kansas in the 2017 special election.[2][11] During the campaign, Cobb called upon his experience working with Trump as a reason for representing the district. He told The Hill, "I’m in a unique position to make sure the interests of the 4th District are as high on the list of the priorities of the administration as possible."[12] In February 2017, the Republican Party of Kansas selected Kansas Treasurer Ron Estes as their nominee for the special election; Cobb received the second-most votes.[13]
Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016
- See also: Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016
Alan Cobb initially joined the Trump presidential campaign when the campaign infrastructure was still being developed in March 2015. The Washington Post reported that Cobb's initial role involved recruitment.[14] Trump announced his candidacy at Trump Tower on June 16, 2015.[15] According to the Trump campaign, Cobb performed a number of roles under the title senior advisor throughout the primary elections.[16] On June 28, 2016, Cobb was promoted to director of coalitions.[3]
Donald Trump presidential transition team
Cobb was also a member of Donald Trump's presidential transition team. The transition team was a group of around 100 aides, policy experts, government affairs officials, and former government officials who were tasked with vetting, interviewing, and recommending individuals for top cabinet and staff roles in Trump's administration. Cobb served in an advisory role, according to Politico.[17]
Pat Roberts and Mike Pompeo re-elections
During the 2014 election cycle, Cobb worked for two Kansas Republicans seeking re-election. In May 2014, Cobb joined Mike Pompeo's re-election campaign as a senior advisor. At the time of his hiring, Pompeo said of Cobb, "His knowledge of Kansas politics, his longstanding relationships in our community, his vast campaign experience here in Kansas, and our shared commitment to limited government and the expansion of freedom will all prove valuable."[18] Later in the election cycle, Cobb joined the campaign of Pat Roberts, who sought re-election to the U.S. Senate. At the time of Cobb's appointment, Roberts was running behind Independent Greg Orman. The Democratic candidate, Chad Taylor, dropped out of the race in early September.[19] Cobb joined the Roberts campaign as the new director of grassroots operations.[20]
External links
See also
- Americans for Prosperity
- Donald Trump presidential campaign key staff and advisors, 2016
- Kansas' 4th Congressional District special election, 2017
Footnotes
- ↑ The Kansas Chamber, "Team," accessed June 2, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Politico, "Mini-Trumps look to replicate electoral success," January 25, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Kansas City Star, "Alan Cobb, who has deep Kansas roots, takes key role with Donald Trump," June 28, 2016
- ↑ Bob Dole Archives, University of Kansas, "Dole names Alan Cobb and Scott Hesse as deputy state directors," March 7, 1995
- ↑ Bob Dole Archives, University of Kansas, "Dole's Deputy State Director to visit three communities," May 5, 1995
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Email exchange with Alan Cobb and Ballotpedia, May 5, 2019
- ↑ Wichita Business Journal, "40 Under 40 — Alan Cobb," July 11, 2013
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 LS2 Group, "Alan Cobb," accessed June 29, 2016
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Alan Cobb," accessed June 29, 2016
- ↑ The Kansas City Star, "Scare tactics over Johnson County property assessments," March 31, 2018
- ↑ KWCH 12, "Ron Estes nominated as GOP candidate for 4th district seat," February 9, 2017
- ↑ The Hill, "Trump ties put to test in Kansas race," February 9, 2017
- ↑ The Topeka Capital-Journal, "Kansas GOP nominates Ron Estes for U.S. House seat," February 9, 2017
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Trump says he is serious about 2016 bid, is hiring staff and delaying TV gig," February 25, 2015
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Donald Trump Enters 2016 Presidential Race," June 16, 2015
- ↑ Donald J. Trump for President, "Trump campaign announces expansion of team," June 28, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Trump adviser exploring run for Pompeo's House seat," November 18, 2016
- ↑ Pompeo for Congress, "Pompeo for Congress Announces the Addition of Alan Cobb as Senior Advisor to 2014 Campaign Team," May 28, 2014
- ↑ Washington Post, "Democratic nominee Chad Taylor drops out of Kansas Senate race," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ CNS News, "Kansas Sen. Roberts shakes up campaign team," September 5, 2014
