Fall 2023 Bohnett Fellow
Mike Schmuhl is Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party and a member of the Democratic National Committee’s Executive Committee. An organizer, manager, and leader, he has been actively involved in politics for fifteen years.
During the 2020 Democratic primary, Mike was the national campaign manager of Pete for America, Pete Buttigieg’s groundbreaking presidential campaign. The first employee of the campaign, he built and led a 600-person organization that led to Buttigieg becoming the first LGBTQ presidential candidate to be awarded delegates in American history after the Iowa Caucuses.
A native of South Bend, Mike has worked on campaigns for former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (2010), State Senator Shelli Yoder (2016), and businessman Mel Hall (2018). He served as Buttigieg’s first chief of staff in South Bend after running his campaign for mayor in 2011. Schmuhl was the elected 2nd Congressional District Democratic chairman from 2011 to 2013, becoming the youngest member of the state central committee at the time with full voting rights. In 2022, he was appointed to the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee.
Previously, Mike was Vice President at the Democratic consulting firm 270 Strategies in Chicago, where he advised nonprofits, issue-based causes, and labor unions. Before working in politics, he worked in the newsroom of The Washington Post as a producer and booker for broadcast outlets. He also interned for the late Tim Russert at NBC News’ Meet the Press.
In 2021, Mike helped found LangleyCyber, a full-service cybersecurity firm that blends expertise from American political organizations with former operatives from the intelligence community.
Mike received a BA in History from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in International Affairs from Sciences Po in Paris, France, where he received the alumni of the year award in 2021. He lives in his hometown and is refurbishing an old neighborhood bar where the Notre Dame football movie “Rudy” was filmed.
Study Group: American Political Parties and Campaigns in an Age of Innovation and Polarization
This study group will study American political campaigns and parties during a time of much promise and innovation mixed with deep skepticism, fear, and polarization. We will examine the party structure at the national level and state level (in this case a midwestern Democratic state party in the process of rebuilding). We’ll then look at how modern political campaigns take shape and take off. Relatedly, we’ll learn and talk about the growing political technology space and how new companies and services are reaching voters directly in an era of fading local and regional journalism. Lastly, we will look at political messaging and messengers and discuss how important a clear message and narrative can be during a time of so much political strife.
Thursdays, 4-6 p.m. PT
September 7
September 14
September 28
Last Session: Tuesday, October 3, 5-7 p.m. PT
Apply for Mike Schmuhl’s study group.
Mike Schmuhl’s Office Hours – https://calendly.com/mikeschmuhl/30min