Mike Shields is a Founder and Partner at Convergence bringing more than 20 years of strategic experience at the highest levels of national campaigns, Capitol Hill and influential outside groups. The Washington Post reported that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called Shields “one of the most talented political minds I know.” Shields is a CNN Political Commentator who brings an unparalleled depth of policy and management experience. The American Association of Political Consultants recognized Shields’s expertise by naming him the 2012 election’s “Most Valuable Player” for his leadership in creating a messaging program to defend House Republicans.
Having led SuperPACs, Independent Expenditure units, and party committees, possibly Shields most impactful work came as the Chief of Staff to the RNC. Here Shields oversaw the data renaissance of the modern Republican Party, helping to map out the data ecosystem and create a vision for the RNC data, digital and ground game infrastructure that helped win the 2016 presidential election and that is still the backbone of the RNC today. Shields also counts Newt Gingrich as his mentor, having served as the former Speaker’s Communications Director in his early career.
Born in the United States on a U.S. Air Force Base to an American father and British mother, Shields moved with his family to Great Britain as a child where he lived for 10 years. Now Shields lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife Katie and his son Aidan.
Highlights:
Served as the President of Congressional Leadership Fund – a 527 “SuperPAC” – that focuses on electing Republicans to Congress. In 2016 CLF raised a record $50 million and went 29-3 in the 32 house races it played in
Chief of Staff to the Republican National Committee in 2013-2014, overseeing the reform and build-out of a $175 million data and ground operation that led to the historic victory in 2016
President of American Action Network, a 501c4 issue advocacy organization
Political Director and Independent Expenditure Director of the National Republican Congressional Committee. As IE Director in the historic 2010 congressional victory, Shields oversaw an operation that put up over 140 separate TV ads in 63 districts
Shields career began in earnest when he became the Political Communications Director to the then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich. He also served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Dave Reichert of Washington State, helping steer him to upset victories in 2006 and 2008
