MEET THE TEAM
JIMMY L. KEADY
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
Jimmy Keady is the Founder and President of JLK Political Strategies, an award-winning national Republican political consulting firm. Prior to founding his own firm, Jimmy served as the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to multiple members of Congress and Virginia Speakers of the House. He has consulted on races from coast to coast, delivering critical wins for his clients. In addition to his work in politics, Jimmy has also helped Fortune 500 companies craft strategies and navigate complex political landscapes. Jimmy is also a Partner in Point1, an award-winning mail firm that has helped elect Republicans to every office, from United States Senate down to Town Council.
With more than a decade of experience as a campaign strategist and a background on Capitol Hill, Jimmy is a highly sought-after commentator and columnist, frequently featured in major publications such as Fox News, Politico, The Washington Times, The Washington Post, and The Hill.
As President of JLK Political, Jimmy has consulted on major NRCC-targeted races and assembled a dynamic team that has delivered crucial wins for Republicans across the country. In 2021, Jimmy consulted multiple House of Delegates candidates, securing a landslide victory over a 14-year incumbent and flipping two highly competitive seats in the general election to secure a Republican majority. In 2023, Keady played an integral role in protecting vulnerable incumbents targeted by Democrats, including a D+12 district held by Republicans with a narrow 53-vote margin.
Thanks to his success, Keady is the go-to consultant for House Caucuses and campaigns across the country, seeking guidance on implementing winning strategies, improving messaging, and winning competitive races to defend and expand Republican majorities.
Jimmy Keady is a Maryland native and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 2012. He currently lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, Monica, their sons, JP and Nolan, and their Bernedoodle, Chunk.
KURT LOFQUIST
SENIOR GENERAL CONSULTANT
Kurt Lofquist serves as senior general consultant at JLK, running strategy and operations for many of their political campaigns across the country. He has worked in grassroots political outreach at the state and national level, run and won several local, state, and federal campaigns, and has served as a senior advisor to a member of Congress.
Prior to JLK, Kurt was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 2001 to 2009. He served two combat deployments to Iraq in 2003 and 2005. At home, he was a police officer in Virginia and North Carolina from 2004 to 2011, where he served as a patrol officer and on the SWAT team.
In 2012, he switched career tracks to politics and was recruited by Concerned Veterans for America. From 2012 to 2014, he ran grassroots field operations in Virginia and successfully lobbied Congress to support the Veterans Accountability Act of 2014 after the Phoenix VA Hospital scandal that year. He was promoted to State Director in 2015. During his time leading operations in the state, Virginia became the most efficient and effective state in the organization, leading the company in voter contacts and volunteer engagement.
In 2017, Kurt moved to campaign management full-time and began working with the Virginia House Republican Campaign Committee on two races in Northern Virginia. In 2018, after his 2018 victory, he joined Representative Denver Riggleman’s office as a senior advisor, splitting time in district and in Capitol Hill. Kurt then ran several races at the state and federal level before joining JLK full time in 2022 as a general consultant.
STEWART BRAGG
GENERAL CONSULTANT
Stewart Bragg serves as JLK Political’s newest General Consultant, serving clients throughout the Southeastern United States. Stewart has worked at all levels of campaigning for more than a decade.
Prior to joining JLK, Stewart worked on numerous political campaigns in Georgia, Florida, Virginia, New Mexico, and Louisiana, gaining a deep understanding of the political landscape in each state. His extensive experience most recently includes serving as the Political Director for the Georgia House Republican Caucus since 2023, where he oversaw all political activities for caucus members and candidates, including voter outreach, communications, and messaging.
Stewart's leadership roles in Georgia politics are particularly notable. He managed Lt. Governor Burt Jones’ successful 2022 campaign, helping secure a critical victory. Additionally, he served as the Executive Director for the Georgia Republican Party in 2020, where he played a key role in advancing the party’s objectives. Earlier, he was the RNC State Director for Virginia in 2018, coordinating the state’s political efforts during a pivotal election cycle.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Stewart has spent much of his career shaping political strategy and driving campaigns across the southeastern United States. Currently, he resides in Atlanta with his wife, Caroline, and their daughter, Kate Hampton.
ADDISON MERRYMAN
VICE PRESIDENT OF POLITICAL SERVICES
Specializing in data-driven analytics and campaign operations, Addison joined JLK in 2023 to help provide its clients and candidates with a strategic edge. Since 2019, he has worked on campaigns from school board to the U.S. Senate. First as a political director and then as a campaign manager, he led now-Delegate Wren Williams’ campaign to victory in two successive, scorched-earth state primaries against sitting incumbents, winning by 26 and 34 points, respectively. He also served Williams as a legislative aide in the General Assembly during Williams’ first term as an elected official.
Addison graduated from Duke University in 2017 with a BA in history with distinction. Having lived on three continents, Addison and his wife, Erica, are now settled in Richmond across from Virginia’s most captivating museums. In his spare time, Addison enjoys competing in online chess, playing guitar, and ministering to his local church.
KENDALL BAILEY
DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Kendall Bailey is the Director of Advocacy and Project Management at JLK Political Strategies, specializing in issue advocacy campaigns and grassroots engagement. Kendall joined JLK in 2024, bringing more than a decade of collective experience in campaign politics, legislative affairs, and academic research.
Most recently, Kendall served as the Chief of Staff to a Virginia state senator and previously as the Legislative Aide to a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Additionally, Kendall worked as a campaign manager, communications strategist, and voter mobilization specialist on campaigns for local and state legislative offices in Virginia.
A political scientist by training, Kendall has co-authored a book on congressional elections, and his research on American campaigns, elections, voter behavior, and the presidency has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals and The Washington Post. He has also taught college courses in U.S. Government, American Politics, Campaign Organizing & Mobilization, Political Parties & Interest Groups, and Quantitative Techniques.
Kendall is a native Virginian, born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Northeastern University, along with B.A. and M.A. degrees in Political Science from Virginia Tech. He resides in Albemarle County with his wife, children, and cat “Asparagus.”
JACKLYN WASHINGTON
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA SERVICES
Jacklyn is a seasoned communications strategist with nearly a decade of experience shaping media strategy and messaging for campaigns, public agencies, and national advocacy groups. As Director of Media Services at JLK, she helps clients tell stories that break through the noise and drive results.
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Before joining JLK, Jacklyn led communications for Florida’s workforce system, managing a $1.75 million statewide advertising budget and overseeing messaging across media, digital, and stakeholder channels. She also served in senior roles on Governor Ron DeSantis’s gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, including as Deputy Chief of Staff to First Lady Casey DeSantis, where she handled principal communications, strategic outreach, and high-level event planning. Her background also includes national advocacy work as Press Secretary at Concerned Women for America, as well as earlier roles in marketing and logistics at the American Conservative Union. Whether managing rapid response or developing long-term communications strategy, Jacklyn brings clarity, creativity, and calm under pressure.
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Originally from New Jersey and now based in Richmond, Jacklyn holds degrees in Broadcast Journalism, Advertising/Public Relations, and Political Science from Florida Southern College. In her free time, she’s most likely planning her next trip, spending time with her golden retriever Tucker, or fitting in a workout at the gym.
AUBREY CARDONA
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Aubrey Cardona is the Director of Operations at JLK Political Strategies. A native of Beaverton, Oregon, Aubrey started as a Field Director in 2022 for county commission races in Clackamas County. She quickly advanced to Campaign Manager, where she led research initiatives that contributed to the closure of the Clackamas County Equity and Inclusion Office.
In addition to her campaign work, Aubrey has served as a political trainer for Western Liberty Network and has facilitated training for the Oregon Republican Party and the Dorchester Conference—the nation’s longest-running annual political conference. At JLK, Aubrey works closely with the Founder and President to manage operations including scheduling, travel coordination, and support for elected officials and clients. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and traveling.
SHAWN KAKWANI
DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER
Shawn Kakwani is a digital media strategist and designer with a passion for creativity and conservative politics. Raised in California, Shawn launched his own DJ and entertainment company in high school, where he began designing graphics for events—sparking a lifelong interest in branding and visual storytelling.
He earned a BFA in Graphic Communications from the University of Maryland, blending technical skill with strategic thinking. Though politics wasn’t his original path, the chance to work on President Trump’s 2024 campaign—while serving at the Republican National Committee—was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. It was there that he discovered the impact of creative media in shaping narratives and mobilizing voters.
Today, as the Digital Media Manager at JLK Political Strategies, Shawn leads content and design efforts for Republican candidates across the country. With years of experience spanning entrepreneurship, corporate design, and national campaigns, he approaches every project with the same mindset: “How can we take this to the next level?”
ERIC DICUS
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Raised in Louisiana, Eric Dicus graduated from Family Christian Academy before earning a Bachelor of Arts in History from Southeastern Louisiana University. Eric's career has spanned several fields, including political campaigning and sales. He has worked on numerous campaigns, from special elections in Georgia to gubernatorial races in Virginia, gaining extensive experience in political strategy, voter outreach, and grassroots mobilization. These experiences have sharpened Eric's ability to navigate complex political landscapes and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people.
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In addition to his work in politics, Eric has developed a strong foundation in sales, including automotive sales and products designed to improve the operations of multifamily complexes. This experience has honed his skills in customer relationship management, problem-solving, and understanding client needs. Eric's diverse background has equipped him with a unique skill set that blends strategic thinking with a customer-focused approach, positioning him to thrive in dynamic environments. Eric has worked for JLK Political since 2022 and currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina.
HANNAH BROOKE BLOSSER
ADVOCACY ASSOCIATE
Originally from Harrisonburg, Virginia, Hannah Brooke joined JLK as a summer intern in 2024. After graduation, she came on full-time in 2025 as an Advocacy Associate. In this role, she supports JLK's clients through advocacy work and grassroots engagement.
Hannah Brooke graduated in 2025 with her Bachelor’s degree in Politics, with a concentration in Foreign Affairs, from the University of Virginia. She also completed minors in Leadership & Public Policy. While in college, she volunteered with programs promoting youth civic engagement and served as the Community Service Chair for both the UVA Inter-Sorority Council and her own sorority. These roles deepened her passion for service and allowed her to support local nonprofits throughout the Charlottesville community.
In her free time, you can find Hannah Brooke on the golf course or pickleball courts.