Matt Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Rodriguez Strategies
A veteran Democratic strategist with more than 20 years of experience working for candidates and causes across the nation, Matt focuses on designing and leading coalition-building campaigns for diverse entities ranging from emerging nonprofits to Fortune 500 corporations.
Matt employs his knowledge of the public and private sectors to implement winning strategies for clients at the state and national levels. He manages the American Beverage Association’s coalition-building efforts in California and leads its advocacy campaign to educate local elected officials about the beverage industry. Matt has also worked with clients including The Pew Charitable Trusts, AT&T, California Community Foundation, Uber, Center for Western Priorities, and former California First Lady Maria Shriver.
Matt’s political management experience ranges from local and state legislative races to U.S. presidential campaigns.
In 2008, Matt served as the Western States Regional Director for Obama for America, where he managed campaign operatives and executed strategy throughout the Western United States. Prior to the general election, he served as the New Hampshire State Director for the Obama campaign during the 2008 presidential primary.
Matt’s experience in politics dates back to 1997 when he began as press aide to House Democratic Leader Richard A. Gephardt. He later worked as Congressman Gephardt's Political Action Committee Director in 2002 and the Deputy Political Director on his 2004 presidential campaign. Matt also worked for Senator Bill Bradley's presidential campaign in 2000, managed Senator Chris Dodd's winning reelection effort in 2004, and successfully guided former California State Senator Kevin de Leon's first campaign for the State Assembly in 2006.
Matt is a frequent political contributor on AirTalk on 89.3 KPCC, Southern California Public Radio.
Prior to his work in the political arena, Matt was a teacher at a small Jesuit school in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He lives with his wife Renee and their son Lorenzo in Santa Monica, California.