William Stepien is an American political consultant who served as the campaign manager for Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign beginning in July of that year. A member of the Republican Party,he was the White House Director of Political Affairs in the Trump administration from 2017 to 2018. [1]
Stepien managed both of Chris Christie's gubernatorial campaigns and served as his Deputy Chief of Staff before being fired in 2014 after Christie said he "lost confidence" in Stepien's judgment [2] for his role in the Fort Lee lane closure scandal,also known as Bridgegate,in which Stepien approved of the action,meant to embarrass a Democratic mayor. [3] [4]
Born to a family of Polish and German origin,Stepien graduated from West Morris Central High School [5] and Rutgers University in New Jersey. [6] Stepien began his political career working on Anthony Bucco's 1997 State Senate campaign,and on Bob Franks' 2000 U.S. Senate race. He worked for Public Opinion Strategies and DuHaime Communications before managing Bill Baroni's 2003 bid for New Jersey State Assembly—the only Republican to oust a Democratic incumbent that year. [7]
Stepien served as Political Director of the 2004 Bush/Cheney campaign in New Hampshire,and as Director of the Republican National Committee's 72-Hour Campaign in 2005 and 2006. [7] In 2008,he was a Regional Campaign Manager for Senator John S. McCain's presidential campaign [8] before serving as National Field Director, [9] a role in which he also served for New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign in 2007–08. He also served in the same role for presidential hopeful Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Campaign.
Stepien served as campaign manager in Chris Christie's successful campaign for Governor of New Jersey in 2009. [10] Christie's first major announcement after winning the election was the naming of four top staffers,including Stepien as a Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. [11] In April 2013,Stepien resigned from that position to become the manager of Christie's re-election campaign. [12] His replacement as Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs was Bridget Anne Kelly. [13]
On January 7,2014,Christie announced that he wanted Stepien to take over the chairmanship of the New Jersey Republican Party from Sam Raia. On January 7,2014,Christie said,"I’ve asked Bill Stepien to be our new State Party Chairman because no one better understands how to grow our party,communicate our message and,most importantly,win elections... Bill Stepien is the best Republican operative in the country,and New Jersey Republicans will be fortunate to have him leading our Party." [14]