2009 Pollie Awards and Conference

Ace Smith

Ace Smith

Ace Smith is president of SCN Strategies, a Democratic political consulting firm specializing in communications, crises management, strategy, research, debate preparation and campaign management for political campaigns, non-profits and corporations nationwide. Since its inception, his firm has worked on campaigns at every electoral level in almost every state.

Past clients have included Virginia Governor Doug Wilder (1989), Chicago Mayor Richard Daley (1989), U.S. Senator Paul Simon (1990), Texas Governor Ann Richards (1990), U.S. Senator Patti Murray (1992), U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (1992), U.S. Senator Kent Conrad (1994), Congressman Richard Gephardt (1994), California Governor Gray Davis (1998 & 2002), U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (1992, 1998 & 2004), Howard Dean for President (2004) among many others.

In 2004, Smith served as campaign manager for the No on 67 (2004) campaign — a statewide initiative in California. The initiative was defeated by a margin of 28% to 72%. In 2005, Smith served as campaign manager for Antonio Villaraigosa's underdog campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles. Villaraigosa went on to a 19% general election victory over the incumbent mayor, marking the first time since the 1930's that an incumbent had been beat after only a single term. It also marked the first time in 133 years that a Latino has been elected Mayor of Los Angeles. In 2006, Smith directed former Governor Jerry Brown's statewide campaign for Attorney General.

During the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary, Smith served as State Director for Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign in California, Texas and North Carolina. He led the campaign to a crucial wins in California and Texas, despite being considerably outspent by the opposition.

Smith has been profiled in the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle and was called "legendary" by The New York Times. He lives in Kentfield with his wife, Laura, and their two children, Abram (18) and Lili (14).