Patrick McHugh, Co-Founder of Gambit Strategies & Former E.D. of Priorities USA

May 6, 2025

Patrick McHugh, co-founder of Gambit Strategies and former Executive Director of Priorities USA, shares his journey from suburban Maryland to the political frontlines. He discusses pivotal experiences from major campaigns, highlighting a humorous research trip to Hawaii. Patrick reveals new opposition research tactics he pioneered in 2008 and reflects on effective digital persuasion strategies that shaped Biden's 2020 win. With insights on adapting to evolving media landscapes, he emphasizes the importance of cohesive communication in modern campaigns.

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ANECDOTE

Personal Roots Fuel Political Drive

Patrick McHugh's family background and father's death deeply influenced his view on the precariousness of the middle class.
This personal experience motivated his lifelong commitment to politics and the American Dream.

ANECDOTE

Thematic Messaging Beats Odds

The 2008 Kay Hagan vs. Elizabeth Dole Senate race was a key learning experience for Patrick about thematic message discipline.
They successfully framed Dole as ineffective, focusing relentlessly on her low effectiveness ranking and voting record.

ADVICE

Research Anchors Campaign Strategy

Effective opposition research requires sifting through large amounts of data to find key themes that tie into the broader campaign message.
Research informs messaging, finance, and strategy to build a cohesive campaign.

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Patrick McHugh, co-founder of Gambit Strategies, was the Executive Director of Priorities USA in 2020 as the main super PAC allied with the Biden Presidential campaign. Prior to that, he had stints at the DSCC and working in the opp research department on major Democratic campaigns. In this conversation, we explore Patrick's roots in opposition research, his experiences running big organizations and on the campaign trail, and mine his deep expertise on emerging trends and best practices in digital persuasion advertising.

IN THIS EPISODE

Growing up in suburban Maryland, near DC but not of DC...

The family tragedy that demonstrated how precarious the middle class can be...

What set Patrick on a course toward working in politics...

Lessons learned working for John Edwards for President in 2007 and Kay Hagan for Senate in 2008...

The new opposition research tactic Patrick helped spearhead in 2008...

Why Patrick gravitated to opp research in his first few campaign jobs...

Some of Patrick's favorite opp research findings and stories...

Patrick's memorable opp research trip to Hawaii...

Patrick's stints during both good and bad cycles at the DSCC...

Patrick moves into senior leadership as Executive Director of the Priorities USA Super PAC...

Patrick on one tactical approach that helped Biden in 2020 that was disregarded by Democrats in 2024...

How Patrick handled asking for big checks as ED of Priorities...

Patrick develops an expertise in digital persuasion and starts Gambit Strategies...

Patrick's insights on how voters watch TV and what it means for campaigns...

Will streaming options become even more fractured or more consolidated...

How digital content should differ than traditional linear TV content...

The kind of junior digital staffers Patrick looks for to join Gambit Strategies...

Patrick recommends some of his favorite sources of digital trends and data...

AND George W. Bush, Ana Caprara, Guy Cecil, Hillary Clinton, DSCC, Elizabeth Dole, frozen records, Amy Gooden, Heidi Heitkamp, Martha McKenna, Linda McMahon, Chris Murphy, press vortexes, JB Pritzker, rocking chairs, Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority PAC, tier 5 races, Donald Trump, Two Americas, John Walsh, Elizabeth Warren...& more!