Ken Snyder
Encyclopedia
Ken Snyder is a prinicpal and co-founder of SnyderPickerill Media Group, a political media frim that specializes in the production of television advertising for political campaigns and candidates. Snyder was formerly a prominent press secretary and public relations manager. He is best known for his work with Democrats
, including John F. Street
, Ed Rendell
, and Vince Fumo.
He earned a master's degree from Loyola University Chicago
and pursued a Ph.D. at University of Wisconsin. He began his career working on John F. Street's
first campaign for Mayor of Philadelphia. In that position, he became known to Senator Vince Fumo, who hired Snyder to work in the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee. During the 2002 United States Senate election in New Jersey
, he managed the campaign for Bob Torricelli, a job that PoliticsPA
called "masochism" and "a challenge and huge opportunity." After Torricelli was replaced by Frank Lautenberg
on the ballot, Snyder stayed on the campaign and helped achieve victory.
Immediately following the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election in 2002
, Fumo lent Snyder, who was one of Fumo's "key political staffers," to Ed Rendell
, where he worked as acting press sectary for the Governor-elect from November 2002 to March 2003. He then returned to work in the private sector.
In 2009, he was hired by the Governor to serve as communications employee charged with publicizing the state's take of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
. The controversial hiring, which appeared to violate Rendell's well-publicized state hiring freeze during the 2009 Pennsylvania budget impasse
, was questioned by government reform advocates, including Eric Epstein
. Later in 2009, he took on an expanded portfolio as interim press secretary with the departure of Chuck Ardo, Rendell's long-time press secretary.
He is "considered by many ... to be among the most intelligent spokesmen and strategists around." Within political circles, he is "widely regarded and respected by Republicans and Democrats alike." Overall, PoliticsPA
called him "One of the best political press secretaries in the state."
In 2010, Politics Magazine named him one of the most influential Democrats in Pennsylvania.
In July 2010, Snyder and fellow political consultant Terrie Pickerill formed SnyderPickerill Media Group. They met while working for David Axelrod on John Schmidt's unsuccessful 1997 gubernatorial campaign, and both cite him as a mentor. Snyder's commercials for Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez were deemed "brilliant" by the Reader's Mick Dumke, and a reason Alvarez, a political unknown, was able to win her race in 2008.
Pennsylvania Democratic Party
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of Pennsylvania. The party has had strong support in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia area for a long time, having controlled the mayoral office in Philadelphia since 1952, and the Pittsburgh...
, including John F. Street
John F. Street
John Franklin Street was the 97th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. He was first elected to a term beginning on January 3, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term beginning in 2004...
, Ed Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
, and Vince Fumo.
He earned a master's degree from Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
and pursued a Ph.D. at University of Wisconsin. He began his career working on John F. Street's
John F. Street
John Franklin Street was the 97th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. He was first elected to a term beginning on January 3, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term beginning in 2004...
first campaign for Mayor of Philadelphia. In that position, he became known to Senator Vince Fumo, who hired Snyder to work in the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee. During the 2002 United States Senate election in New Jersey
United States Senate election in New Jersey, 2002
The 2000 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli decided to retire. Democrat Frank Lautenberg won the open seat.- Campaign :...
, he managed the campaign for Bob Torricelli, a job that PoliticsPA
PoliticsPA
- Content :The website focuses on news aggregation, linking to major political news making headlines across the state. The editors write occasional features, like the weekly "Up & Down" scorecard and one-off lists like "Harrisburg's Smartest Staffer" and "Best Dressed Lobbyist" lists...
called "masochism" and "a challenge and huge opportunity." After Torricelli was replaced by Frank Lautenberg
Frank Lautenberg
Frank Raleigh Lautenberg is the senior United States Senator from New Jersey and a member of the Democratic Party. Previously, he was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automatic Data Processing, Inc.-Early life, career, and family:...
on the ballot, Snyder stayed on the campaign and helped achieve victory.
Immediately following the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election in 2002
Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, 2002
The Pennsylvania gubernatorial election of 2002 was held on November 5, 2002, and included the races for the governor and lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.-Gubernatorial Primaries:Attorney General Mike Fisher ran unopposed for the Republican nomination...
, Fumo lent Snyder, who was one of Fumo's "key political staffers," to Ed Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
, where he worked as acting press sectary for the Governor-elect from November 2002 to March 2003. He then returned to work in the private sector.
In 2009, he was hired by the Governor to serve as communications employee charged with publicizing the state's take of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
. The controversial hiring, which appeared to violate Rendell's well-publicized state hiring freeze during the 2009 Pennsylvania budget impasse
Pennsylvania budget impasses
The Pennsylvania budget impasse is a series of budget impasses or fiscal crises, the latest of which happened on July 1, 2009. In a budget impasse, the State government can't pass a budget through the General Assembly and so the State can't pay its bills or payrolls.-Background:The Pennsylvania...
, was questioned by government reform advocates, including Eric Epstein
Eric Epstein
Eric Epstein is a former teacher, college professor, state Senate candidate, self-employed consultant, government reform activist, radio host and nuclear watchdog from Pennsylvania.-2004 Senate Election:...
. Later in 2009, he took on an expanded portfolio as interim press secretary with the departure of Chuck Ardo, Rendell's long-time press secretary.
He is "considered by many ... to be among the most intelligent spokesmen and strategists around." Within political circles, he is "widely regarded and respected by Republicans and Democrats alike." Overall, PoliticsPA
PoliticsPA
- Content :The website focuses on news aggregation, linking to major political news making headlines across the state. The editors write occasional features, like the weekly "Up & Down" scorecard and one-off lists like "Harrisburg's Smartest Staffer" and "Best Dressed Lobbyist" lists...
called him "One of the best political press secretaries in the state."
In 2010, Politics Magazine named him one of the most influential Democrats in Pennsylvania.
In July 2010, Snyder and fellow political consultant Terrie Pickerill formed SnyderPickerill Media Group. They met while working for David Axelrod on John Schmidt's unsuccessful 1997 gubernatorial campaign, and both cite him as a mentor. Snyder's commercials for Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez were deemed "brilliant" by the Reader's Mick Dumke, and a reason Alvarez, a political unknown, was able to win her race in 2008.