Ford O’Connell is a Southwest Florida-based businessman, lawyer, and communications expert with extensive experience in the political arena. As a seasoned campaign operative, he has played pivotal roles in local, state, and national political campaigns, earning a reputation as a trusted voice in politics. A former Republican congressional candidate and respected political analyst, Ford leverages his expertise to deliver sharp insights and strategic guidance.

He is a familiar face on major broadcast platforms such as Fox News, Fox Business, Newsmax TV, and NewsNation, and his commentary has been featured in prominent publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, the New York Post, and the Financial Times.

During the 2010 election cycle, Ford co-authored a weekly column for TownHall.com, focusing on the vital impact of redistricting and state legislative races. He has also contributed to leading outlets such as The Hill, the Washington Examiner, U.S. News & World Report, and POLITICO's Arena. In 2013, he solidified his reputation as a political thought leader with the publication of his first book, Hail Mary: The 10-Step Playbook for Republican Recovery.

His commitment to conservative principles—limited government, free enterprise, and personal responsibility—was profoundly influenced by his grandfather, Henry Salvatori, a longtime Republican activist and advisor to three U.S. Presidents. Ford’s leadership in managing the nationwide rural outreach program for the McCain-Palin 2008 presidential campaign, combined with his extensive experience in get-out-the-vote (GOTV) initiatives, shapes his approach to modern voter engagement. He focuses on blending the evolving power of social media and digital tools with the proven strategies of traditional outreach to drive meaningful connections with voters.

In 2009, Mr. O’Connell co-founded ProjectVirginia, an initiative aimed at helping Virginia Republicans adopt cutting-edge digital media and voter mobilization strategies to strengthen their majority in the House of Delegates. This effort gained national recognition when Campaigns & Elections magazine awarded ProjectVirginia the inaugural Reed Award for “Best Use of Twitter” for its contributions to multiple campaigns during the 2009 election cycle. Additionally, Ford was honored as a 2010 Rising Star by Campaigns & Elections magazine for his innovative work. Earlier in his career, he served as an intern at The Heritage Foundation and in the Massachusetts State Senate, further solidifying his expertise in public policy and political strategy.

A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law (Juris Doctor), Mr. O’Connell holds graduate degrees from Duke University (Master of Public Policy), Northwestern University (Master of Science in Journalism), the University of Mississippi (Master of Arts in Southern Studies), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Religion from Swarthmore College where he was a member of the football, basketball, and lacrosse teams.

Ford is a licensed attorney with multi-jurisdictional practice credentials. His policy expertise spans critical areas such as the economic and national security implications of energy and the challenges posed by illegal migration in the United States.

In 2014, Mr. O’Connell joined the faculty at The Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University, where he imparts his knowledge to aspiring political leaders. Ford has also served as a media surrogate for the Trump White House and the Republican National Committee (RNC), among others. Additionally, he contributed to the efforts of the 60th Presidential Inaugural Committee.

With deep experience and strategic insight, Ford O’Connell continues to influence the dialogue at the intersection of politics, policy, and communications.