My first political campaigns were in 1984. I worked for two men, Bart Gordon and Joe Haynes. Bart won a crowded primary to become a congressman in Tennessee’s 4th District. Joe Haynes defeated an incumbent Democratic state senator. The confidence they placed in me launched a career in electoral campaigns that has now touched almost all 50 states and around 600 campaigns. I represented Bart and Joe, along with my business partner John Rowley, until 2010 when they both retired from their respective offices to focus on their legal careers and families. They remain my friends even until today.