Jim Cunningham & Associates, LLC has its roots in the political activity of its founder: Jim Cunningham, general consultant and fundraising expert with 29 years experience.

Jim Cunningham has set himself apart from most political consultants in the nation through his experience in working every aspect of a campaign operation during his 29-year career.

 He began working in politics in 1979 by building organizations in state legislative campaigns, including coordinating direct mail and radio production. He then moved on to a statewide governor’s race where he added fundraising to organizational management duties.

 In 1986, Cunningham created his first consulting firm, working with candidates in Kentucky for governor and lieutenant governor, an international union, and U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt’s first presidential race. Cunningham traveled through the southern states to build organizations in Gephardt’s presidential race; he then was asked to move to Iowa to rebuild Gephardt’s fledgling presidential caucus operation.

Cunningham suspended his consulting firm to work full time for Gephardt for President in Iowa. After replacing most of the staff and spending 11 months rebuilding that operation, Cunningham helped propel Gephardt to a 5-point victory. Gephardt also turned to Cunningham again for his 2004 campaign. At Cunningham’s direction, Gephardt’s campaign was the only presidential organization other than front-runner Howard Dean’s that did not have a drop-off in funds collected in the third quarter of 2003.

 Cunningham managed races in several states from 1988 until 1992, including Bill Clinton’s presidential race in 1992. Cunningham then started his second consulting firm, which is now known as Cunningham Harris Osborne & Associates. His firm has worked in 43 different states since the spring of 1993 and has built the reputation of running one of the best organized, best focused fundraising operations in America.

 Throughout his political career, Cunningham has been asked to consult on every aspect of campaigns including organization, management, direct mail, media advertising and budgeting.   From 1992 through 1995, Cunningham also was the managing partner in a candidate and opposition research firm and played a key role in helping candidates use their research strategically.

 In addition to campaigns, Cunningham has worked with organizations such as the Alabama Education Association, the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association and senate and Democratic caucuses in several states.

 Through his involvement with campaigns for everything from presidential to down-ballot races, Cunningham has gained the knowledge and experience that can help clients stay focused and avoid the mistakes that campaigns usually make.

“Over the last 25 years I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Eliminating the bad and the ugly is critical to winning a political race.”