Stuart Spencer
Encyclopedia
Stuart K. Spencer is a prominent Republican political consultant. As founder of Spencer-Roberts, he and his firm have managed over 400 political campaigns.
Stuart Spencer served in the United States Navy
from 1945 to 1946, and then graduated from the East Los Angeles Junior College with an AA, and from California State University
at Los Angeles
, with a BA degree
in Sociology
in 1951.
Spencer-Roberts & Associates, Inc., was established in California
in 1961 with Bill Roberts. They were among the first professional campaign managers.
In 1962 he managed Tom Kuchel's campaign for United States Senate
in California
. After that, he managed Nelson Rockefeller
's presidential campaign of 1964, and Don Riegle's run for Congress
, Michigan
, in 1966.
He ran Ronald Reagan
's gubernatorial campaign in California in 1966. That year, it was to Spencer that Reagan said "Politics is just like show business. You have a hell of an opening, coast for a while, and then have a hell of a close." He also ran Reagan's gubernatorial campaign in 1970, and his presidential campaigns in 1980 and 1984.
Stuart Spencer became the sole owner of Spencer-Roberts in 1974. In 1976 he served as Deputy Chairman for Political Organization in Gerald Ford
's presidential re-election campaign. When he served as Reagan's campaign manager in 1980, he suggested that he choose George H. W. Bush
as his running mate, but later recounted that Reagan wasn't keen to the idea, apparently because Reagan didn't like Bush. "There was no way he was going to pick Bush," said Spencer. "It was chemistry."
In 1985, his firm allegedly received over $350,000 to run the Panamanian presidential campaign of Eric Delvalle,
and in 1988 he was assigned to improve Dan Quayle
's image. In October of that year he remarked on the difficulty of the task, saying "First we had to shut that John Birch
father of his up, and then the National Guard thing hit."
Karen Spencer joined Spencer-Roberts in 1989 and expanded the firm's roles into public policy, avocation
, and political strategic planning. She registered as a California state lobbyist and as a federal lobbyist in Washington, DC.
Stuart Spencer has had a long friendship with Dick Cheney
, having worked with him as far back as the Ford administration. In 1993, he speculated that Cheney would seek the presidency in 1996. He told "Human Events" magazine, "Look, I'm pro-choice and Dick is pro-life but I'm for him if he runs. He's like a brother to me."
Stuart Spencer served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1945 to 1946, and then graduated from the East Los Angeles Junior College with an AA, and from California State University
California State University
The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
at Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, with a BA degree
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
in 1951.
Spencer-Roberts & Associates, Inc., was established in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1961 with Bill Roberts. They were among the first professional campaign managers.
In 1962 he managed Tom Kuchel's campaign for United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. After that, he managed Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was the 41st Vice President of the United States , serving under President Gerald Ford, and the 49th Governor of New York , as well as serving the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations in a variety of positions...
's presidential campaign of 1964, and Don Riegle's run for Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, in 1966.
He ran Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's gubernatorial campaign in California in 1966. That year, it was to Spencer that Reagan said "Politics is just like show business. You have a hell of an opening, coast for a while, and then have a hell of a close." He also ran Reagan's gubernatorial campaign in 1970, and his presidential campaigns in 1980 and 1984.
Stuart Spencer became the sole owner of Spencer-Roberts in 1974. In 1976 he served as Deputy Chairman for Political Organization in Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
's presidential re-election campaign. When he served as Reagan's campaign manager in 1980, he suggested that he choose George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
as his running mate, but later recounted that Reagan wasn't keen to the idea, apparently because Reagan didn't like Bush. "There was no way he was going to pick Bush," said Spencer. "It was chemistry."
In 1985, his firm allegedly received over $350,000 to run the Panamanian presidential campaign of Eric Delvalle,
and in 1988 he was assigned to improve Dan Quayle
Dan Quayle
James Danforth "Dan" Quayle served as the 44th Vice President of the United States, serving with President George H. W. Bush . He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from the state of Indiana....
's image. In October of that year he remarked on the difficulty of the task, saying "First we had to shut that John Birch
John Birch
John Birch may refer to:* John Birch , soldier in the English Civil War and MP for Leominster* John Birch , nephew of Col...
father of his up, and then the National Guard thing hit."
Karen Spencer joined Spencer-Roberts in 1989 and expanded the firm's roles into public policy, avocation
Avocation
An avocation is an activity that one engages in as a hobby outside one's main occupation. There are many examples of people whose professions were the ways that they made their livings, but for whom their activities outside of their workplaces were their true passions in life...
, and political strategic planning. She registered as a California state lobbyist and as a federal lobbyist in Washington, DC.
Stuart Spencer has had a long friendship with Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
, having worked with him as far back as the Ford administration. In 1993, he speculated that Cheney would seek the presidency in 1996. He told "Human Events" magazine, "Look, I'm pro-choice and Dick is pro-life but I'm for him if he runs. He's like a brother to me."