Ace Smith

Ace Smith is president of SCN Public Relations, a Democratic political consulting firm specializing in public relations, 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 Daly (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 campaign - a statewide initiative in California. The initiative was defeated by a margin of 28% to 72%.

Most recently, Smith served as campaign manager for Antonio Villaraigosa's underdog campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles. Despite being outspent by over $1 million in the primary campaign, Villaraigosa beat Hahn by 11%. He went on to a 19% general election victory over the incumbent mayor, marking the first time since the 1930's that an incumbent has 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.

Smith was recently profiled in the Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News and was called "legendary" by the New York Times. Over the years, Smith has held a variety of positions in campaign management, fundraising, and city government. He lives in Kentfield with his wife, Laura, and their two children, Abram and Lili.

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