Jason Thielman
American political strategist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jason Thielman is an American political strategist and businessman who served as executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) from 2022 to 2024.[1][2] A native of Chester, Montana, he previously served as chief of staff to Secretary of State Bob Brown[3][4] and later as chief of staff to U.S. senator Steve Daines.[5] Following the 2024 elections, in which Republicans gained a Senate majority, Thielman co-founded Strategy to Results, a public affairs firm,[6] and co-founded the American Growth Partnership, a Washington, D.C.-based business association.[7]
Jason Thielman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chester, Montana, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Montana |
| Occupations | Political strategist, businessman |
Career
Early career
Thielman was born in Chester, Montana and raised in Whitefish, where he attended Whitefish High School. He went on to study at the University of Montana, where he served as student body president and was appointed by Governor Marc Racicot as the student member of the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education.[4][8][9] After graduating with degrees in finance and history, he served as chief of staff to Montana Secretary of State Bob Brown.[3][4][10] In 2004, he served as campaign manager for Brown's gubernatorial campaign.[4]
Congressional service
Thielman served in staff positions in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate before becoming chief of staff to U.S. senator Steve Daines.[2][5][11] He served as campaign chairman for Daines' 2012 U.S. House campaign, and was named chief of staff when Daines took office.[12][13] He served as campaign manager for Daines' 2014 Senate campaign, during which he was quoted by Montana media defending Daines' legislative record.[14] Thielman continued as chief of staff when Daines entered the Senate in 2015.
During the 2020 Montana Senate race, Thielman served as a chief spokesperson for Daines and was quoted by Roll Call commenting on campaign finance attacks from Democratic challenger Steve Bullock.[15]
National Republican Senatorial Committee
In November 2022, Thielman was appointed executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee under Senator Steve Daines, who served as NRSC chair.[16][1] During this period, he was quoted by Roll Call on the viability of Republican Senate candidates, including former U.S. representative Peter Meijer's bid.[17]
In 2023, the New York Times reported that Thielman was identified alongside Daines as an originator of a proposed Montana legislative change—a jungle primary bill—aimed at improving Republican prospects in the 2024 Senate race against incumbent Democratic senator Jon Tester.[18]
During the 2024 election cycle, Thielman submitted a legal affidavit on behalf of the NRSC in litigation over the rules governing joint fund-raising advertisements.[19] The Washington Post also reported on the NRSC's operations under Thielman's leadership, including the committee's strategic decisions and internal spending.[20] Prior to the November elections, Newsweek reported on Thielman's public warnings about vulnerabilities facing Republicans in the 2024 cycle.[21] Republicans gained a Senate majority in the 2024 elections.[22]
Post-NRSC career
Following the 2024 election cycle, Thielman has been quoted in national media as a political strategist commenting on Republican electoral strategy. In November 2025, he was quoted by NBC News analyzing the political implications of off-year election results.[23]
Thielman co-founded Strategy to Results, a public affairs firm, with former NRSC political director Tim Edson and Brock Lowrance.[6] He also co-founded the American Growth Partnership, a Washington, D.C.-based business association.[7]