John Tate is a veteran political and public policy strategist with over four decades of experience at the highest levels of American politics.
He is the Founder and President of JFT Consulting, Inc., a firm specializing in campaign strategy, lobbying, and nonprofit consulting. Throughout his career, John has played key roles in hundreds of political campaigns across all 50 states, including five U.S. presidential campaigns.
A nationally recognized authority on political convention strategy and operations, John is widely regarded for his deep expertise in party rules, convention management, and campaign operations. His professional experience spans campaign management, political strategy, fundraising, direct mail, grassroots mobilization, nonprofit leadership, and legislative affairs at both the state and federal levels.
Most recently, John served as a Senior Advisor to the 2024 Donald J. Trump for President campaign, Senior Political Advisor to the Republican National Committee, and consultant to the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee.
His previous roles include Campaign Manager for the 2012 Ron Paul Presidential Campaign, National Political Director for Ron Paul’s 2008 campaign, and Senior Advisor to Rand Paul’s successful 2010 U.S. Senate campaign.
From 2008 to 2018, John served as President of Campaign for Liberty, following six years as Vice President at the Leadership Institute. He also spent 14 years at the National Right to Work Committee, including six years in the role of Vice President.
In 1996, John was the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.
A respected public speaker and lecturer, John frequently teaches on topics ranging from the history of American conservatism and political technology to grassroots activism and the art of confrontational politics.
John holds a B.A. in History from the University of Virginia.
John is a proud father to Lauren, Joe, Jake, Jared, and Johnny and grandfather to 8 (soon-to-be 9) grandchildren.
He and his wife, Beth, reside in a restored 1920s farmhouse in Suffolk, Virginia, where they enjoy the quiet rural life with their four rescue dogs, a spoiled rotten cat, a Goffin cockatoo, and a growing flock of chickens.