Ford O'Connell
Ford O’Connell is an American political analyst, Republican strategist and conservative activist. He has worked for several political campaigns, including the McCain-Palin 2008 campaign.
Political Activism
In 2009, Ford O’Connell founded ProjectVirginia, a political action committee with a mission to help Virginia Republicans seeking public office better utilize social media and voter mobilization technologies. Campaigns and Elections magazine awarded the 2010 Reed Award for “Best Use of Twitter” to ProjectVirginia. O’Connell currently serves as the managing director of Civic Forum Strategies and the chairman of CivicForumPAC. In 2010, O’Connell was named a “Rising Star” by Campaigns and Elections magazine.
Journalism and Commentary
O’Connell is a frequent on-air guest commentator for Fox News, CNN, Fox Business Network, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, British Broadcasting Corporation, CNBC and Current TV. O’Connell’s political commentary has been published by Fox News, CNN, ABC News, CBS News, MSNBC, the Associated Press, Reuters, the New York Daily News, National Review Online, Human Events, Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, the San Francisco Chronicle, Christian Science Monitor, The Hill, Roll Call, RealClearPolitics, Daily Caller, Talking Points Memo, US News and World Report, Politico, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The Washington Examiner, American Spectator, The New Republic, E! Online, ESPN.com and Campaigns and Elections magazine.
O’Connell is a regular contributor to the Thomas Jefferson Street Blog and the Debate Club at U.S. News & World Report, The Hill's Pundits Blog, and the now-defunct Arena at Politico.
Background & Education
O’Connell received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, a Master of Public Policy degree from Duke University, a Master of Science in Journalism degree from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.
O’Connell received an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Religion at Swarthmore College, where he was a member of the football, basketball and lacrosse teams. O’Connell attended the St. Paul's School (Concord, New Hampshire).
O’Connell is the grandson of Henry Salvatori, an American geophysicist, conservative activist and Republican Party insider.